Court Scene, detail

Renowned artist Mahadev Vishwanath Dhurandhar studied at the Sir J. J. School of Art between 1890 and 1895. He was also the first Indian director (1919 -1935) of the School of Art. Particularly skilled with watercolours, Dhurandhar became an illustrator and portraitist of great repute. He depicted his subjects with authenticity and sympathy, creating a unique visual record of contemporary Mumbai (Bombay) that has not been matched in any other city in India. This watercolour painting depicts a court scene in the theatrical tradition of western history painting.

This painting is a cartoon or a smaller version of the original wall mural, titled 'Stridhanam', housed in the law courts, commissioned by the Law Members' Chambers in 1929.