PaintingsIndian18th-19th century

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.

Classification

Paintings

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Pahari Style

Culture

Indian

Century

18th-19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

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.