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Painting - Rukmini and the messenger

Rukmini and the messenger

  • Object:

    Painting

  • Place of origin:

    Garhwal, India (made)

  • Date:

    1775-1785 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Opaque watercolour on paper

  • Credit Line:

    Purchased with the assistance of Lady Rothenstein and The Art Fund

  • Museum number:

    IS.129-1951

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

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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.

Physical description

A landscape-format painting 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.

Place of Origin

Garhwal, India (made)

Date

1775-1785 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Opaque watercolour on paper

Dimensions

Height: 16.6 cm with border, Width: 24.8 cm with border.

Object history note

Formerly in the Rothenstein collection.

Descriptive line

Opaque watercolour, Lady conversing with a messenger, Guler, c. 1760.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

W.G.Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, 1973, vol.1, p.115, vol.2,p.83.

Materials

Paper; Opaque watercolour

Techniques

Painted

Collection code

SSEA

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Qr_O121232
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