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Simon Ray

AN ELEPHANT AT PLAY
India (Uniara), circa 1770
Opaque watercolour heightened with gold on paper.
Height: 25.3 cm
Width: 32.2 cm

AN ELEPHANT AT PLAY

This exuberant painting of an elephant at play makes dramatic use of the technique of continuous narrative. A single elephant is shown charging across the dusty ground of an arena, chasing a red ball and goaded on by three retainers carrying long spears with which they prod the elephant. The elephant is depicted in successive stages of the game and appears eight times. The group of three retainers, who seem barely able to contain the frenzied energy of the elephant, appears three times. 
all text, images © Simon Ray

 

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