Musician at the Amber Fort – India
The original painting measured 70 x 84 cms. and was painted in mixed media
The Amber Fort is just out of Jaipur, perched on the top of a mountain, and would be one of the best-kept examples of Rajput architecture that we saw. The buildings are beautifully decorated with glass and mirror mosaics and there are many frescoes, sculptures and intricate marble latticework. You can ride up the steep climb to the Fort on a beautifully decorated elephant. This was my first elephant ride, and it was here that I had my first real glimpse at what everyday life in a palace must have been like.The fort does not get its name from its golden hued walls, but most likely from the name of an Indian god or goddess.
This Musician is part of the tradition of the fort. He sits at the first set of stairs as you alight from the elephants to walk up to the magnificent ceremonial gate. He would still be sitting there. I hope this painting says something about the connection between traditional and modern life in India. I used colour and texture to help convey this theme.The old bouganvillea vine depicts the seasonal changes, but life will still go on in the same time honoured way with a few concessions to the modern world – note his glasses and beautifully ironed tunic. His hand-made instrument is antique, and the money at his feet is to encourage the modern tourist to reward him for his musical efforts and his picturesque appearance.
