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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.346
Title
Gauri Ragini (painting, recto; text, verso), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Girl in a forest landscape, lotus pool in foreground
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript folio
Date
c. 1640-1660
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Central India, Malwa
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216469

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor on paper; Malwa Style
Dimensions
23.65 x 15.72 cm (9 5/16 x 6 3/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John Kenneth Galbraith
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.346
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
The Gauri Ragini is meant to evoke a contemplative mood and is commonly represented by a female heroine (nayika) who is lovesick and reminisces about her lover in a forest. She typically holds flowers in her hands and her song and dance attract peacocks. Here, in this painting, the female figure, surrounded by lush trees, carries a large branch of flowers. On the top of a canopy is a peacock spreading its wings. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation). This folio most likely belonged to an album of Ragamala or "Garland of Melodies" folios produced in Malwa. Sanskrit verses associated with the raga or the ragini depicted on the recto are written on the verso. Other folios from the same series in the Harvard Art Museum’s collection are objects 1972.347, 1973.156, 1973.157, 1973.158, 1973.173, 1973.174. Rajput, Rajasthani, Malwa School.

Publication History

  • Stuart Cary Welch and Milo Cleveland Beach, Gods, Thrones, and Peacocks Northern Indian Painting from Two Traditions, exh. cat., Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York, NY, 1965), page 66/figure 16b

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