Cleveland Museum of Art

Taurus, from a "Mandi Astrology Series"

Sanju

Date

c. 1810

Medium

Gum tempera and gold on paper

Culture

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Standing for the astrological sign Taurus, the large-scale bull fills the space like a graceful icon behind a much smaller herd of cows. Pure white in color and in perfect profile, he has been adorned with a string of bells, a jeweled diadem, and decorative tips on his horns. A fine textile with gold leafy arabesque patterns sets him apart from oxen, dairy cows, and even the elephants in the distant background. The oval format derives from the popularity of British cameos at the Mughal court.

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