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A vertical mosaic-like painting featuring a stylized, grey elephant facing right against a textured maroon background. It has decorative bands on its legs and body. Geometric borders frame the top and bottom.
White Elephant
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

White Elephant

Artist Jamini Roy (Indian, 1887 - 1972)
Datec. 1955
Place of originBengal, India, Asia
MediumOpaque watercolor on paper, mounted on paper
Dimensionsimage: 19 1/4 × 14 1/2 in. (48.9 × 36.8 cm)
Framed: 29 1/8 x 23 1/8 in. (74 x 58.7 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Needham
Object number1987.1.47
Collections
Visual DescriptionA vertical mosaic-like painting featuring a stylized, grey elephant facing right against a textured maroon background. It has decorative bands on its legs and body. Geometric borders frame the top and bottom.
Two figures ride a dark blue elephant on the left, facing a figure riding a spotted yellow leopard on the right. A stylized flower stands between them on a tan background, framed by a dark blue decorative border.
The World of Kantha
Jamini Roy
c. 1950
A painting of a white and grey cat lying down, facing right. The cat has textured fur and large, dark eyes. The background is dark reddish-brown.
White Cat
Jamini Roy
c. 1955
White geometric figures on a reddish-brown background. Two stylized figures ride elephants flanking a central tree topped with a bird. Below, a decorative border separates a lower panel containing four fish swimming in a row.
The World of Alipana
Jamini Roy
c. 1950
A vertical painting depicting a stylized, crowned figure within an arched frame. The figure holds a crowned infant on her lap. Below are two fish motifs.
Virgin and Child
Jamini Roy
c. 1950
A stylized painting of a figure with dark reddish-brown skin, wide eyes, and an elongated neck adorned with patterned bands. The figure has a ponytail and wears earrings.
Naga Girl Holding Bird
Jamini Roy
c. 1955
A horizontal painting in reddish-brown tones divided into three rows. A large stylized horse and rider dominate the center, surrounded by standing figures. The top row shows riders on animals, and the bottom row features a line of small figures.
Warrior King
Jamini Roy
c. 1935
On a tan background, a yellow fish with an elephant's head stands next to a figure in blue clothing. To the right, a rider patterned clothing and a crown sits atop a black horse.
Makara and Horseman
Jamini Roy
c. 1945
A drawing of three stylized figures in a top row, framed by arches, above a horizontal row of four smaller heads.
Sketches of Christian Subjects
Jamini Roy
c. 1953
A horizontal, rectangular painting on a yellow background divided into three panels. The left panel shows six standing figures in blue, white, yellow, and beige. The center panel features red text on yellow. The right panel depicts blue and yellow figure flanked by two white cows.
Krishna and Balarama with Gopis
Jamini Roy
c. 1950
A stylized white and red animal with a round face and striped body stands on a reddish-brown background. A patterned shape rests on its back. Flower motifs appear on either side, surrounded by a patterned border.
Salutations
Jamini Roy
1956-1962
A stylized figure in a green dress sits inside a dark arch. On the left, a small winged figure floats above a flower stalk.
The Annunciation
Jamini Roy
c. 1950
A two-tiered folk painting on a yellow background. The top panel depicts three figures, while the bottom shows five figures in a row in a small boat.
Krishna Ferrying Gopis Across the Jumna
Jamini Roy
c. 1955

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