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A Common Indian Night Jar ( Caprimulgu asiaticus )

A Common Indian Night Jar ( Caprimulgu asiaticus ) . India, Eighteenth Century . Background Information. British patrons hired Indians to paint for them Prominent patrons included Lord Impey , Chief Justice of the High Court from 1777-85

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A Common Indian Night Jar ( Caprimulgu asiaticus )

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  1. A Common Indian Night Jar (Caprimulguasiaticus) India, Eighteenth Century

  2. Background Information • British patrons hired Indians to paint for them • Prominent patrons included • Lord Impey, Chief Justice of the High Court from 1777-85 • Marquess Wellesley, governor-general from 1798-1805

  3. Background Information • Painters were trained at a Company School (kampanikalam) • Specifically “Lucknow” School (Adwadh region of Northern India) • Each region of India had its own distinct artistic syles • Other major centers included Calcutta, Patna and Agra

  4. Background Information • These paintings were similar to Chinese porcelain produced for export • Mostly about nature- flowers, trees, birds, fruits, animals, people, architecture and landscapes • Many commissions were made by the British East India Company • Employees wanted to bring back images of exotic finds as gifts or documentation

  5. Artist • Unknown Indian painter - not thought important enough by Europeans • Commissioned by French collector, Claude Martin • French military officer who became a Major General in the B.E.I C. • Born 1735 died 1800 • Moved to Lucknow, India in the 1770s • Included this painting in an album of art by local artists

  6. Subject • A fairly common Indian bird; member of the nightjar family • Trees and shrubs in the background

  7. Subject • Found in Lucknow, Adwadh region, India -not found in Europe • Claimed by the British in 1856 • Strong Mughalinfluence on the area • Rich agricultural zone

  8. Artistic Analysis • Mixture of traditional Indian miniature paintings and European taste • Artists had previously worked for the Mughalcourt and the painting reflects Mughal influence • Great attention to detail; seen in feathers

  9. Artistic Analysis • Profile of bird shown • Bird is brown, black and gray • Casts a dark shadow • Background much to small - scale not realistic, bird in extreme foreground • Background very dull colored

  10. Artistic Analysis • Watercolor on paper instead of traditional gauche • Original was notebook paper sized (H 8.628 in x W 11.125 in) • Can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

  11. Function • This type of painting is the 19thcentury version of a photograph • Replaced by photographs in 1840s • Souvenirs • Inexpensive

  12. Function • At time of production were valued as documentation not beauty • Showed scientific view of needing to collect all information about flora and fauna • Also the colonial need to assert control over colonies by possessing images of them • Today recognized for skill and aesthetic appeal

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