I was enchanted by this wood engraving print of a young dancing girl, probably part of the palace harem, in the e-edition of a book by a Frenchman travelling through 19th century India. Her proud bearing and composure was belied by her eyes, resigned to her fate as no more than a slave in these magnificient surroundings. What did she think as she posed, dressed in brocade and laden with jewellery, for the firangi? Was that amusement in the slight curve of her pouting lips? I have attempted to bring her to life in colour, using very different media. I placed the stone latticework screen behind her; she could look at the world outside but never be a part of it.
Fabric: Quilting cotton, silk, silk brocade, printer-ready fabric, printed muslin