An Indian miniature painting depicting a prince spying on bathing women
India, circa 1755
Signed by the artist Swami 'Ram Rikh' of Seopur and dated Samvat 1812 (1755)
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper,
H. 3.8 x W. 16.2 cm (image) / H. 28.3 x W. 21.6 cm (folio)
The prince and his courtier are curiously attended by some cows, alluding to depictions of a popular episode from the story of Krishna's youthful years when he stole the clothes of the gopis, female cowherds, who had left their clothes on the Yamuna river bank while bathing. Krishna, high up in a tree with the stolen clothes dares the gopis to come out of the water and beg for their clothes with arms raised in supplication, revealing themselves fully before their god. However, stealing clothes is only for the Gods, so the prince in the present painting doesn't even dare look.
Signed by the artist Swami 'Ram Rikh' of Seopur and dated Samvat 1812 (1755)
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper,
H. 3.8 x W. 16.2 cm (image) / H. 28.3 x W. 21.6 cm (folio)
The prince and his courtier are curiously attended by some cows, alluding to depictions of a popular episode from the story of Krishna's youthful years when he stole the clothes of the gopis, female cowherds, who had left their clothes on the Yamuna river bank while bathing. Krishna, high up in a tree with the stolen clothes dares the gopis to come out of the water and beg for their clothes with arms raised in supplication, revealing themselves fully before their god. However, stealing clothes is only for the Gods, so the prince in the present painting doesn't even dare look.
Part of the Indian Ocean collection.
