The Sacred Tree (Primary Title)
Fourth Indian Set (Primary Title)
Ernest Stephen Lumsden, English, 1883–1948 (Artist)
Ernest Stephen Lumsden, English, 1883–1948 (Printer)
One of Lusmden’s last Indian etchings, this decorative image was the product of a long study, involving two earlier trial plates and three revisions to this one. The subject is an ancient pipal tree (Ficus religiosa). Also called the bodhi tree, it is celebrated as the species under which the historical Buddha sat when reaching enlightenment. Unusually for Lumsden, the location of this view is not obvious. Given the amount of time he spent in Benares, though, this is likely a famous pipal planted at nearby Sarnath, purportedly a distant descendent of the original bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
ed. 52
Signed in graphite "Lumsden imp" at bottom center along plate line.
Following information inscribed in graphite by unknown hand(s) on recto: 320 and 3rd St
Gift of Frank Raysor
Light and Line: E. S. Lumsden's Visions of India, VMFA South Asian Galleries, April 11, 2016 - April 4, 2017
©artist or artist’s estate
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