Lot Essay

This double portrait features a duenna and a mother or maternity nurse holding a child, the oval frames inspired by Dutch portraiture. The duenna at top is depicted in a sheer jama and odhani, the latter delicately draped over her hair. The woman below is lightly clad in a sheer choli, gold-trimmed yellow odhani, orange paijama, and is adorned with rubies and pearls. Delicate shading around her eyes, jawline, and mouth define her dainty features. The figure holds a cheerful baby on her lap depicted with hands raised above his soft blonde curls.