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An opaque watercolor painting depicting a standing woman who is dressed in a long white dress and veil behind her head. The woman stands in the center and is looking down at a bush with jewelry and flowers on it. Behind her are some trees and in front of her is dark, waving water. The piece is framed with a thin, floral frame.

An rectangular opaque watercolor painting depicting a standing woman who is dressed in a long white dress and veil behind her head. The woman stands in the center and is looking down at a bush with gold jewelry and little white flowers on it. The woman’s right arm is straight out towards the bush and her other hand grips her golden arm band. Behind her are some trees and hills, and in front of her is dark, waving water that goes along the entire bottom side. Above the trees is a dark circle in the sky. The piece is framed with a black thin, floral frame with white flowers. The frame is surrounded by a pink page with some red speckles all over.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1974.110
Title
Vipralabdha Nayika Casts off Her Jewelry into a Bed of Flowers
Classification
Paintings
Work Type
painting
Date
c. 1840
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216053

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions
27.2 x 22.8 cm (10 11/16 x 9 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bienstock
Accession Year
1974
Object Number
1974.110
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
In the center of the image is the Vipralabdha Nayika (“the Deceived Heroine”), the heroine who waited for her lover the whole night, only to be deceived by him. She throws away the jewelry he gave her as he did not keep his promise. The nayika wears a white, gold-trimmed dress and a white, gold-trimmed head scarf. She is adorned with necklaces, head ornaments, earrings, necklaces, armlets, bracelets, rings, and a nose ring. Her right arm is extended over a large bed of flowers. She removes an armlet from her right arm to cast it into the bed of flowers that already contains some of her jewelry. Behind her is a hilly landscape with various types of trees with individually-painted leaves. A large silver full moon is set against a blue sky. The reflection of the moon can be seen in the blue-grey river comprising white-lined waves. Pahari Style, Kangra School.

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 2590 South and Southeast Asia, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/07/2018 - 04/17/2019

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Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu