Standing Balarama c. 19th century

This image of Standing Balarama was made with watercolor on paper. The artist, whose name is now lost to us, combined careful drawing with luminous washes of color. The paper support allows for the fine details of the figure’s jewelry, the pattern on the dhoti or lower garment, and the soft gradation of the lotus flower at Balarama's feet. It is possible the artist used a stencil or ‘pounce’ to quickly transfer an initial outline onto the page, the process of ‘Chhaapna’ to create the painting, and the paper itself could have been produced via industrial means. The application of flat color, with little attempt to model the figure in three dimensions, gives this painting a distinctive visual quality and is typical of the Indian painting tradition. What’s fascinating here is the combination of careful artistry, the use of tools, and perhaps even labor-saving techniques, which are all brought to bear in the service of a devotional image. Considering these factors helps us to appreciate the painting as both a work of art and as a product of its time.