Woman in Full Dress by Solvyns
by Francois-Balthazar Solvyns (1760-1824)
Original coloured etching
from Les Hindous
Pub. Paris
Solvyns provides a vivid portrayal of a wealthy Hindu woman in full dress, emphasising both the magnificence of her attire and the richness of her surroundings. The woman is seated on a luxurious carpet, with her legs and arms supported by embroidered silk cushions. She is attended by two ayahs (maid servants). One maid offers her paan while another fans her with a hand pankh to refresh the air around her face. In the background, a hookah-bearer prepares the hookah for her to smoke. The lady’s appearance is meticulously described: her hair, made shiny with cocoa oil, is plaited and adorned with pearls or precious stones, with the largest gem positioned in the middle. Solvyns highlights her isolation and idle life, noting that women of her rank live in seclusion, removed from both labor and society, their lives marked by a lack of purpose and contribution, engaging in minimal activities such as playing the tom-tom.
Frans Balthazar Solvyns, was a skilled engraver and painter hailing from Antwerp, embarked on a transformative journey to India in 1790. Settling in Calcutta, Solvyns immersed himself in the intricacies of Indian life, studying Hindi and forging relationships with Brahmins and pundits. Inspired by his surroundings, he commenced his ambitious project in 1791, aiming to depict the diverse facets of Indian society, from occupations to customs which he published in a series of engravings. Despite its sensitive portrayal, the venture encountered little success initially, prompting Solvyns’ departure from India in 1803. However, his legacy endured through subsequent publications, notably “The Costume of Hindoostan” and the expanded edition of “Les Hindous,” offering an intimate and detailed glimpse into 18th-century Indian life across professions, festivals, and daily rituals, immortalising a unique historical moment with both reverence and curiosity.
Image Size (cms): 35(H) x 24(W)
Image Size (inches): 14(H) x 9.5(W)
Mount Size (cms): 51(H) x 41(W)
Mount Size (inches): 20(H) x 16(W)
