Photo of collection object Lady with a Yo-yo
Mughal. Lady with a Yo-yo, ca. 1770. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, sheet: 9 1/4 x 6 3/16 in. (23.5 x 15.7 cm) image: 8 3/8 x 5 1/4 in. (21.3 x 13.3 cm). Gift of Alan Kirschbaum, 80.268.1. No known copyright restrictions.

Lady with a Yo-yo

ca. 1770

Mughal

Asian Art

This painting belongs to the extensive genre of paintings depicting lonely women who must amuse themselves while their lovers are away. It shows a woman playing with a string toy that is similar, but not identical, to a Western yo-yo. She stands on a low stool, which serves as a pedestal, inviting us to admire the beauty of the subject. The servant standing behind her is probably a woman (judging by the thin veil over her shoulders and her hennaed feet), although she is dressed in the turban and long coat (jama) of a man. She holds a peacock-feather fan that she can use to create breezes as well as to shoo away insects.
Maker/Artist
Mughal
Classification
Painting
Formatted Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Locations
Possible place made: Bundi, Rajasthan, India, Possible place made: Kota, Rajasthan, India
Dimensions
sheet: 9 1/4 x 6 3/16 in. (23.5 x 15.7 cm) image: 8 3/8 x 5 1/4 in. (21.3 x 13.3 cm)
Departments
Asian Art
Accession Number
80.268.1
Credit Line
Gift of Alan Kirschbaum
Rights Statement
No known copyright restrictions
Dominant Colors

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