Sketch Two Nautch Girls 

Edwin Lord Weeks captured these two women in an undated oil sketch, highlighting the materiality of culture. Weeks, a Western artist, uses visible brushstrokes to render the figures and their garments. The very act of painting becomes a form of cultural translation. The texture of the oil paint mimics the rich textures of the women's clothing and jewelry. The weight of the scene lies not just in its visual depiction but in the implied labor and skill involved in producing these cultural artifacts. Consider the intricate beadwork, metal ornaments, and detailed textiles. These were all carefully wrought, reflecting hours of labor and skilled craftsmanship. By painting them, Weeks acknowledges the value of these handmade items and the people who create them. This elevates the so-called "decorative" to the level of fine art. Weeks asks us to appreciate the cultural significance embedded within these objects, blurring the lines between Western art and global craft traditions.