The New York Public Library has digitized and released a collection of about 1,80,000 items, including pictures, manuscripts, posters, paintings, etc., and all of them are free for download and use by everyone.
From maps of Asia to amazing photographs of New York City, the collection has them all. Amongst these is a vast collection of 178 original coloured paintings of India, illustrating the trade, costumes, and culture of the country. The paintings were made between 1780 and 1858, and their digital versions look excellent. With camels and elephants, salt trade and temples – the amazing collection will take you way back in time.
Here is a look at 11 of these beautiful paintings:
Hunting scene – leopard attacking one of two elephants
Man ploughing field with two oxen
Two elephants pulling an elaborate carriage, with mahouts and attendants
A female spinner
Camel, an important mode of transportation
Snake charmers
Aristocrats standing on a dais with ornate rugs
Toddy gatherers in landscape with palm trees
All pictures: The New York Public Library
Story courtesy: Sharath Ahuja
Source……..Tanaya Singh in http://www.the betterindia.com
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