Lady preparing for lover, c. 1810, Guler, (The Archer Collection)

In terms of style, yet another Guler invention is now discernible - a face with virtually straight nose and forehead. This was a product of the seventeen-seventies and characterized Guler painting until well into the nineteenth century. The convention of a red carpet with vertical brown stripes dates from a little earlier and despite temporary supersessions, remained as firmly entrenched in Guler painting as did the Guler red background. The present picture has much in common with a picture of Raja Bhup Singh (1790-1820) of Guler with his ladies and like that painting, must be dated to about 1810. -- 8 x 6 inches