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Tracing of two birds in a pond.

A Pair of Birds

On View

Not currently on view

Unknown

Parchment (labeled here as ‘membrane’) has long been associated with documents of great importance, but this sheet of sheepskin was likely used as a mere stencil. Its maker would not have considered it a work of art in itself, but rather, an instrument for creating art. The sheep membrane went from living animal to painting surface via a gruesome process of slaughter, skinning, scraping and soaking in caustic lime. The result was a material able to last for a thousand years, perfectly preserving everything recorded on its surface. These birds are immortal on lifeless sheepskin, one animal’s body used to depict another’s.
Artist
Unknown (Indian)
Title
A Pair of Birds
Date
18th century
Medium
Ink on deer membrane
Dimensions
6 1/8 x 8 1/8 in. Overall
Credit
Gift of Jane Werner Watson
Accession No.
1973.27
Geography
India

Related

ca. 1960-62, likely purchased in India* by Earnest C. and Jane Werner Watson (Santa Barbara, CA); 17 June 1973, gifted by Jane Werner Watson (Santa Barbara, CA) to the Elvehjem Art Center [now called Chazen Museum of Art].   *General donor file contains correspondence from Mrs. Watson stating that she and Mr. Watson’s collection of Indian art and artifacts was begun and amassed while living in New Delhi between 1960 and 1962; however, specific acquisition information is not documented.

  • Elvehjem Art Center. "Indian Miniature Painting: The Collection of Earnest C. Watson & Jane Werner Watson." Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1971. no. 52

  • Capturing Nature: Instruments, Specimens, and Art: Science History Detectives First-Year Interest Group, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 12/10/2013–4/13/2014
  • Title unknown [50 Indian miniature paintings]: University of Wisconsin-Stout, 10/15/1974–11/1/1974
  • New Acquisitions from the Far East: Elvehjem Art Center, 11/5/1973–1/6/1974
  • Indian Miniature Painting: The Collection of Earnest C. and James Werner Watson: Elvehjem Art Center, 10/29/1971–1/2/1972

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