DrawingsIndian18th century

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.

Classification

Drawings

Medium

Ink and opaque watercolor on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

18th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

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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