Krishna hunting black buck

Object Details

• Provenance

  Between possibly 1940s and 1959-1983

  Rudolf von Leyden (1908-1983), method of acquisition unknown in India [1]

  1983-1998

  James von Leyden, by descent from Rudolf von Leyden in Europe [2]

  1998-?

  Sam Fogg, Ltd. (established 1986), London, England, purchases from James von Leyden in England [3]

  ?-?

  Unidentified individual, United States, method of acquisition unknown [4]

  ?-2014

  Francesca Galloway, Ltd. (established 1991), London, England, method of acquisition unknown [5]

  From 2014

  National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, purchased from Francesca Galloway, Ltd. [6]

  Notes:

  [1] See the acquisition justification, dated March 18, 2014, copy in object file. The provenance is described as, “Provenance [/] Before 1959: Rudi Von Leyden (d. 1983), an art critic for the Times of India, acquired the painting in India perhaps as early as the 1940s. [/] 1968: Rudi Von Leyden moves to Europe with his collection. [/] 1983: Upon Rudi Von Leyden’s death, the painting goes to his nephew, James Von Leyden. [/] 1998: Sam Fogg purchases the painting from James Von Leyden.” The acquisition justification also states that “[t]he present painting belongs to the same series as a painting formerly in the Rudi von Leyden collection” and one of which, described as “The Evening Bath, Krishna Watching Radha,” was published in 1959. See William Archer, “Indian Painting in Bundi and Kotah,” (London: H.M. Stationery Office, 1959), fig. 19.

  Rudolf von Leyden (1908-1983) was an art critic for the newspaper “Times of India” (1937-1950s) and a collector of Indian art from various periods. Born in Berlin, Germany, von Leyden obtained his PhD in geology in 1932 before moving to Mumbai in 1933 to escape the Nazi regime. Unable to establish a successful career in geology in India, von Leyden shifted to pursue his interest in art in 1934, eventually becoming a notable figure in the art scene in Mumbai. In 1968, von Leyden moved to Vienna, Austria, where he remained until his death.

  [2] See note 1.

  James von Leyden is a writer in England and the nephew of Rudolf von Leyden (1908-1983).

  [3] See note 1.

  Sam Fogg, Ltd. (established 1986) is a dealer in London, England. Established in 1986 and specializes in art of the European Middle Ages with departments also focusing on Islamic and Indian art. The gallery initially focused on books and manuscripts from the Middle Ages, but expanded to include panel paintings, sculpture, stained glass, textiles, and treasury objects from that period. The gallery has also exhibited work at art fairs, including European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) New York, TEFAF Maastricht, Frieze Masters (London), and Masterpiece London. Clients include private collectors and institutions, such as museums and libraries.

  [4] See object file for copy of Francesca Galloway, Ltd., invoice number 2580, to the Freer Gallery of Art, dated April 8, 2014. The provenance is described as, “Provenance: Private collection, USA [/] Sam Fogg Rare Books & Manuscripts, London, 1998 [/] Rudy von Leyden Collection.”

  [5] See “Temporary Custody Receipt,” dated March 26, 2014, copy in object file. The object was transferred from Francesca Galloway, Ltd. to the Freer Gallery of Art for acquisition consideration on March 26, 2014.

  Francesca Galloway is a dealer in London, England, specializing in Indian painting and textiles since the 1980s. She established her eponymous gallery in 1992.

  [6] See Freer Gallery of Art, acquisition consideration form, approved on April 14, 2014, copy in object file. The object is part of the museum’s Freer Gallery of Art Collection.

  Research updated July 8, 2024

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Body Image (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Rudolf (Rudi) von Leyden (1908-1983)

  James von Leyden

  Sam Fogg, Ltd. (established 1986)

  Francesca Galloway, Ltd. (established 1992)

• Origin

  Kota, Rajasthan state, India

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment and funds provided by Nancy Fessenden and Friends of the National Museum of Asian Art

• Type

  Painting

• On View

  Freer Gallery 01: Body Image: Arts of the Indian Subcontinent

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1770s

• Name

  Galloway, Francesca Marigold, von Leyden, Rudolf (Rudi), von Leyden, James, Fogg, Sam

• Place

  Kota, Rajasthan state, India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Landscapes, Art, Hunting, Krishna, Antelope, Rifle

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Paintings

• On View

  Yes