A princess listening to music

The Mughals conquered Bundi in 1616 and although the Bundi school of painting lasted from 1590-1800 it was finest in the 17th century after the Mughal conquest. At that time both Indian and Mughal styles were used. There were many court scenes, often illustrating the grace of Bundi manners, the background typically showing lush landscape. Sometimes themes were passionate, such as elopement, or lovers meeting. Shading on the faces is typical of the Bundi school.

Mughal-style attention to detail is shown here in the palace building and the ladies’ faces, dresses and jewellery. The setting is the courtyard of a typical highly carved Rajasthani palace. In the background, lush foliage can be seen over the palace wall. The princess sits with her servant on a carpet smoking a huqqa and listening to female musicians playing the sitar and drum.

Description taken from the ‘Art From The Indian Sub-Continent In The Sainsbury Centre’ catalogue by Margaret A. Willey (Sainsbury Centre, UEA, 1995).