Une Nautch; from Twenty four Plates Illustrative of Hindoo and European Manners in Bengal

Art Historical Context

"Une Nautch" is a captivating hand-colored lithograph from 1832 series *-four Plates Illustrative ofoo and European Manners Bengal*, created by French artist Alexandre-Marie Colin in collaboration with Jean Jacques Bel and Mrs. Belnos. This vividly captures a traditional Indian nautch dance performance, elegant women dancers accompanied by musicians playing instruments, alongside male figures. The scene bursts with energy, highlighting the rhythmic grace of Bengali cultural traditions during the British colonial era. Lithography, a revolutionary printing technique by the early 19th century, allowed for detailed reproductions of exotic subjects popular in Europe, while hand-coloring added a jewel-like vibrancy that enhanced its appeal as an illustrative document. The Belnos couple, likely residents of Bengal, provided authentic insights into local customs, blending European artistic finesse with Eastern motifs in this Orientalist work. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1970), this 10 11/16 × 12 5/16 in. sheet offers a window into 19th-century cultural exchanges. It reflects European fascination with India's "manners and customs," preserving a nautch—a celebrated form of classical dance and music—for global audiences.

About the Artist

Alexandre-Marie Colin|Jean Jacques Belnos|Mrs. Belnos (French|French) · 1798 |1767 –1875 |1824

French, Paris 1798–1875 Paris|French, Montargis 1767–1824 Paris