View of a Palace (recto); Asavari Ragini (verso)
18th century
Description
The recto side of the folio depicts a palace. In the bottom register is a group of women getting dressed after bathing in the river. Seated in the palace are a man and woman that also appear to be conversing. On the right is a group of four women at a shrine. On the verso side of the folio is a drawing depicting the Asavari Ragini, who is commonly represented by a female heroine (nayika) who charms snakes either through her dance or through her music. In this drawing, the female figure, bare chested and wearing a skirt made of leaves, sits on a rock. A cobra rests on her hand, its body draping down her thigh. Other snakes can be found on the scene, coiled around trees or slithering on the ground. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. Rajput, Rajasthani, Kota School.
Dimensions
25.2 x 17.4 cm (9 15/16 x 6 7/8 in.)
Provenance
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.
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