Unknown Maker, Indian

Standing female figures in transparent dress were a common subject in South Asian illustrated-manuscript painting. Even when created as portraits, these depictions were idealized, and typically paired with poetry. Beautifully ornamented calligraphic texts are found on the back of both of these works.

Sikander copied such paintings as a student, and similar figures can be seen beneath layers of imagery in some of her paintings in this exhibition. Female figures like these continue to inspire Sikander’s large-scale watercolors and mosaics.