Painting thumbnail 1
Painting thumbnail 2
Not on display

Painting

ca. 1775 - ca. 1785 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The painting shows an episode from the story of Krishna and Rukmini, known as the 'Rukmini-Harana' or 'Abduction of Rukmini'. This scene shows Rukmini in a pavilion, listening to a messenger sent by her lover, the Hindu god Krishna. The messenger, shown with his hand raised to indicate that he is speaking, brings Rukmini the welcome news that Krishna intends to abduct her in order to prevent her marriage to another man. The bright red background accentuates the passionate feelings that Rukmini has for the absent Krishna.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour on paper
Brief description
Painting, Rukmini and messenger, from a Krishna Rukmini series, Guler style at Garwhal, ca. 1775-1785
Physical description
Painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, in which Rukmini is shown in a pavilion in the centre, leaning out towards a man with raised hand. A maid sits to the left of the painting. The scene is set against a bright red sky.
Dimensions
  • Height: 168mm (maximum)
  • Width: 255mm (maximum)
26/06/2013 dimensions measured as part of Indian Paintings Cataloguing Project 2013
Content description
Rukmini is shown in a pavilion in the centre, leaning out towards a man with raised hand. A maid sits to the left of the painting. The scene is set against a bright red sky.
Styles
Credit line
Purchased with the assistance of Lady Rothenstein and Art Fund
Object history
Formerly in the Rothenstein collection.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The painting shows an episode from the story of Krishna and Rukmini, known as the 'Rukmini-Harana' or 'Abduction of Rukmini'. This scene shows Rukmini in a pavilion, listening to a messenger sent by her lover, the Hindu god Krishna. The messenger, shown with his hand raised to indicate that he is speaking, brings Rukmini the welcome news that Krishna intends to abduct her in order to prevent her marriage to another man. The bright red background accentuates the passionate feelings that Rukmini has for the absent Krishna.
Bibliographic reference
Indian paintings from the Punjab Hills : a survey and history of Pahari miniature painting / by W. G. Archer ; foreword by Sherman E. Lee. London :Delhi: Sotheby Parke Bernet ;Oxford University Press, 1973 Number: 0856670022 p. 83, cat. no. 12
Collection
Accession number
IS.129-1951

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Record createdFebruary 17, 2006
Record URL
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