Ascetics Making Bhang
16th century
Attributed to Basawan
Mughal
This small drawing depicts four youths in a wooded setting. Three are handling pots and a basket while a fourth peers down from behind a tree. The figures are nude, covered if at all, only by wavy hair. A dog, with crossed forelegs observes from the right; a walking stick with curving handle lies in the middle ground. These elements--the nudity, the walking stick, and the dog--are attributes of India's religious ascetics and common to their artistic portrayal.
Black and brown ink on off-white paper
Mughal period