Ragamala painting

anonymous, 1680

A woman sits under the night sky, collecting petals from two tall vases on the terrace of a palace. A tree is visible behind a tall wall. The blue complexion of the lady is inspired by the couplet inscribed above (in Braj), likening it to a blue waterlily. The verse below is in Sanskrit. The composition is surrounded by a double black border and broad red margins. The painting belongs to the Ragamala genre where the Gunakali is the fifth wife of Malkos raga. This musical mode is performed before dawn, during the winter months.

  • Artwork typedrawing, Indian miniature
  • Object numberRP-T-2024-56
  • Dimensionsheight 283 mm x width 200 mm
  • Physical characteristicspenseel

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Ragamala painting

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-T-2024-56

  • Description

    A woman sits under the night sky, collecting petals from two tall vases on the terrace of a palace. A tree is visible behind a tall wall. The blue complexion of the lady is inspired by the couplet inscribed above (in Braj), likening it to a blue waterlily. The verse below is in Sanskrit. The composition is surrounded by a double black border and broad red margins. The painting belongs to the Ragamala genre where the Gunakali is the fifth wife of Malkos raga. This musical mode is performed before dawn, during the winter months.

Creation

  • Creation

    draftsman (artist): anonymous, Bundi

  • Dating

    1680

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    penseel

  • Dimensions

    height 283 mm x width 200 mm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Gift of A.L. Dallapicola, London

  • Acquisition

    gift 2024-04-30

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Documentation

    • Dallapiccola, A.L. Princesses et Courtisanes, Oyez, Paris, 1978
    • Maggs Oriental Miniatures and Illumination, Bulletin No. 23, March 1975
    • Dallapiccola, A.L. Ragamala-Miniaturen, Weltkunst, Munich, XLVII Jahrgang, N. 6, 15. March 1977
    • Dallapiccola, A.L. et Enrico Isacco, Ragamala. Exposition Mars 1977
    • Dahmen-Dallapiccola, A.L. Indische Miniaturen. Malerei der Rajput-Staaten, Holle Verlag, Baden-Baden, 1976
    • E. Binney 3rd, The Mughal and Deccani Schools with some related Sultanate Material. Portland, Oregon, 1973

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