Garuda, the mythical mount of Vishnu (back); Female figure (front)

The fluid lines of this ink drawing and the selectively applied color washes draw the eye to its intricate ornamental details and Garuda’s elegant figure. Colored drawings like this were considered finished artworks.

Many similar examples are known from southern India, especially from 1700–1900, when extensive sets of full-page colored drawings and paintings depicting Hindu deities, saints, and views of important temples were compiled into albums. Often made by Indian artists for British patrons, they also served as model books for an artist family to refer to in creating other works and as samples of work for prospective patrons. The slightly worn edges of this page suggests that the sketchbook has been well used.