Lot 80
80
A PICCHVAI FOR THE AUTUMN FESTIVAL: THE DANCE OF KRISHNA AND THE GOPIS
A PICCHVAI FOR THE AUTUMN FESTIVAL: THE DANCE OF KRISHNA AND THE GOPIS

RAJASTHAN, NORTH INDIA, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details
A PICCHVAI FOR THE AUTUMN FESTIVAL: THE DANCE OF KRISHNA AND THE GOPIS
RAJASTHAN, NORTH INDIA, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form, composed of three equal loom widths, Krishna dances with two gopis in the centre, surrounded by a ring of further gopis accompanied by Krishna, the foreground with musicians flanking a peacock, set in a glade of mango trees inhabited by monkeys and peacocks, under a starry sky with deities in vehicles flying above, with floral scrolling border relined, on modern wooden stretcher
104 3/8 x 77½in. (265 X 197cm.)

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Lot Essay

This picchvai of Krishna dancing with the gopis (milkmaids) under the full moon was probably used during the autumn festival Sharad Purnima which commemorates the raas, or Krishna’s great circular dance with all the gopis. This episode is set on the banks of the river Yamuna, which appears in the foreground, and between the forests of Vraj, Krishna’s childhood home. In the sky, the gods come out to watch the cosmic dance unfold. For related pieces see Madhuvanti Gose (ed.), Gates of the Lord, The Tradition of Krishna Paintings, exhibition catalogue, Chicago, 2015, cat.53, 54, 55, pp.116-121.

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