Polonnaruva (Woman among Trees)

Currently not on view

Polonnaruva (Woman among Trees)

c. 1935

Sarkis Katchadourian (Armenian, 1886–1947)

During the early twentieth century, a small group of South Asian and foreign scholars and artists explored the ancient arts of the subcontinent and brought them world recognition. They also made their findings available to the many artists striving to develop an appropriate modern art for the emerging nations. Sarkis Katchadourian traveled around South Asia in the 1930s copying fragments of ancient wall paintings, such as the sixth-century murals from Polonnaruva in Sri Lanka. Soon after, he exhibited his work at Calcutta University, where art historian Stella Kramrisch was then a professor. It is likely that Kramrisch acquired this watercolor at that time.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Polonnaruva (Woman among Trees)

Date:

c. 1935

Artist:

Sarkis Katchadourian (Armenian, 1886–1947)

Medium:

Watercolor over colored pencil on paper on fabric

Dimensions:

Sheet: 16 7/8 × 15 5/8 inches (42.9 × 39.7 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-148-582

Geography:

Made in India, Asia

Context:

Period: Modern Period

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Currently not on view