Baz Bahadur and Rupmati Riding Horses and with Hunting Falcons
19th century
Description
In the center of the painting, in an open, green field, is Rupmati. She is shown wearing a red-orange turban with a gold sash and a long red-orange dress with a slit down the chest. Her long black hair falls past her back. With her left hand she holds the reigns of her brown horse, while her left hand wears a glove and supports a white falcon. Riding beside her on a gray and white dappled horse with henna-dyed legs is Baz Bahadur. He wears a pink turban with a gold sash and a long pink robe. His left hand gestures in conversation, while his right hand supports a white falcon. Rupmati and Baz Bahadur gaze into each other’s eyes. Rupmati was a Hindu shepherdess and a singer. Once out hunting, Baz Bahadur, the last Sultan of Malwa in present-day Madhya Pradesh (r. 1555-1562) heard her melodious voice and was enchanted by her beauty. They both fell in love and were married according to both Hindu and Muslim rites. Pahari style.
Dimensions
17 x 22.8 cm (6 11/16 x 9 in.)
Provenance
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1983 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1983.
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