Artist: Bernard Picart or Picard (1673 – 1733) was a French draughtsman, engraver, and book illustrator in Amsterdam.
Title: The Procession of Ganga. The Feast of Huly.
Signed and Annotated in plate: B. Picart sculp. dir. 1723. La Procession de Ganga. La Fete de Huly.
Dimensions: Image 12 1/4" x 8 1/8". Plate 13" x 8 5/8" Sheet 16 5/8" x 10 1/2".
Publisher: Jean Frédéric Bernard (1680 - 1744) was a French publisher and writer who worked and lived in Amsterdam.
Edition: Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde, first published in Amsterdam, 1723-43.
Date: 1723.
Materials and Techniques: Engraving on laid paper.
Watermark: V G.
Provenance: The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Condition: The left edge of the sheet is slightly damaged by detachment from bookbinding, and at the same time, because the sheet was inside the book, it was protected from sunlight. Minor tears to the lower margin. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Part of: Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses des peuples idolatres... Amsterdam, 1723. Second partie du tome premier. p. 134-135.
Museums and Libraries: Library of Congress 50032372.
Bibliothèque nationale de France, département Réserve des livres rares, RES-G-562.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: French School XVIII C. Dutch School XVIII C.
Note: The river Ganga is considered sacred, personified as a goddess with four hands, and associated with purification.