Nathdwara (Rajasthan)
opaque watercolour and gold on paper
Krishna and Radha sit resting against a large white bolster on an ornate silver swing. Underfoot is a floral decorated carpet on a chequered marble floor with iron balustrades. Six female attendants flank the nimbate couple whose gazes are firmly fixed on each other. In the foreground are a pair of European style pink settees while in the distance an orange hued sky indicates the setting sun. Dense clusters of trees and foliage sprinkled with parrots and peacocks envelope the central scene.
Such large and dramatic scenes were painted by Nathdwara artists who produced these images for devotees who visited the great Krishna temple at Nathdwara in Rajasthan. Founded in the 17th century, this temple has attracted an enormous following even to this day, in turn ensuring a continuing tradition of devotional images. The extravagant size and conception of these paintings remind one of the constant importance of religious images in India, not only as ritual objects but also items for pilgrims to acquire and bring home from the great Hindu shrines.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century Nathdwara artists were exposed for the first time to European art prints whose influence can be seen in the paintings of this period.
Size Painting (cms): 44.5 (H) x 57 (W)
Size Painting (inch): 17.5 (H) x 22.4 (L)
