Courtier Refusing Wine from Indian Courtesans
c. 1650-1700
Description
Three elegantly dressed figures occupy the foreground of this painting under lacquer: a beardless youth in a caracul hat and two women in diaphanous head scarves. The youth refuses the offer of red wine from the nearer woman, pushing against her shoulder with his outstretched left arm, while his right hand rests on the jeweled sheath of his dagger. The two women wear Indianizing garments with gold-ground sashes. Tiny figures in the background are cut off at the top, suggesting the painting has been cut down from its original size.
Dimensions
22.9 x 17.1 cm (9 x 6 3/4 in.) mount: 27.7 x 19.6 cm (10 7/8 x 7 11/16 in.)
Provenance
[Sotheby's, London, 1 July 1969, lot 336], sold; to Edwin Binney, 3rd Collection, California (1969-2011), bequest; to Harvard Art Museums, 2011.
Related Artworks
View MoreOil on panel
17th centuryDutchAlbum leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk
17th centuryJapaneseHandscrolls (two); ink, color and gold on paper
17th centuryJapaneseOil on canvas
17th-18th centuryItalian, NeapolitanHandscroll; ink, color and gold on silk
17th centuryJapaneseOil on canvas
17th centuryItalian, VenetianOne of a pair of handscrolls(?); ink, color and gold on paper
17th centuryJapaneseAlbum leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk
17th centuryJapaneseAlbum leaf; ink, color, and gold on silk
17th centuryJapaneseHandscroll made from a folded book; ink, color and gold on paper
17th centuryJapaneseOil on panel
17th centuryDutchHanging scroll; ink on paper
17th centuryJapanese