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 from1832, part of the series *Twenty-four Plates Illustrative of Hind and European Manners in*. Created by Mrs. Belnos in collaboration with Jean Jacques Bel and Alexandre-Marie Colin, depicts a lively Nautch—a traditional Indian dance performance—aturing elegant women dancers accompanied by male musicians playing various instruments. The scene vibrantly captures the cultural rhythms of Bengal, blending grace and festivity in a moment frozen in time. Lithography, a innovative 19th-century printing technique, allowed for precise reproduction of detailed drawings, while hand-coloring by skilled artisans brought the rich hues of saris, jewelry, and instruments to life. This medium was ideal for ethnographic illustrations, making intricate Eastern scenes accessible to European audiences during the height of British colonial rule in India. As a window into 19th-century Bengali society, the print highlights the Nautch tradition, a celebrated form of entertainment often performed at social gatherings. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1970), it offers visitors a glimpse into cross-cultural exchanges, reminding us how art bridged worlds amid empire and curiosity. (198 words)

About the Artist

Mrs. Belnos|Jean Jacques Belnos|Alexandre-Marie Colin (French| |French) · 1798 |1800 |1800 –1875 |1900 |1900

French, Paris 1798–1875 Paris| |French, active 1933