A picchvai of Krishna and Radha in the Garden

INDIA, RAJASTHAN, 19TH CENTURY

Details

A picchvai of Krishna and Radha in the Garden
India, Rajasthan, 19th Century
The lovers at center standing in a garden with peacocks at their feet, attended by gopis, surrounded by scenes from their life, the bottom with steps leading to the lotus-filled Jamuna River, all enclosed in a floral border
Opaque pigments and gold on paper
93½ x 103¼ in. (237.5 x 262.3 cm)

Provenance

Collection of Ariane Dandois, Paris, acquired between 1973-1975

Literature

Galerie Ariane Dandois, Pichvaï: ou les peintures dédiéés au culte de Krishna, 1977, p. 20

Exhibited

Galerie Ariane Dandois, Pichvaï: ou les peintures dédiées au culte de Krishna, 17-29 October 1977

Lot Essay

Krishna is considered to be the eighth incarnation of Vishnu and together with Radha, they symblize eternal love. The scenes depicted, clockwise from top, are: Krishna and Balarama seated under the kadamba tree and sharing a meal with fellow cowherders; Krishna as a child and his friends stealing butter; Krishna delivering a message to Radha through her fellow gopis; Krishna and Radha seated on the Jamuna River; Krishna and Radha seated together on a swing, symbolizing their union; the Dana Lila; Krishna and Radha performing puja; Krishna and Radha in a boat ride on the Jamuna River; Krishna playing flute in the kadamba tree after stealing the clothes of the bathing gopis; and Krishna and Radha leading the cowherders in playing holi.

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