Painting
ca. 1790 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In this painting a nayika, or female heroine, is seated on a swing accompanied by three maids, one of whom is carrying a morchhal (peacock feather fan). Exquisitely dressed in pink, orange and gold, the nayika wears numerous strands of pearls around her neck and wrists. Her coy, downcast gaze and knowing smile are typical of the idealisation of female beauty as interpreted through the Kangra painting style of the Punjab Hills. The thick monsoonal clouds above indicate this may be a representation of the festival Teej. This festival, celebrated at the beginning of the month of Shravan (August-September), sees numerous swings hung from trees and women singing songs in celebration of the arriving monsoon, which is seen as a romantic and erotically charged season in literature and painting. The festival of Teej is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati and celebrates her marriage with Shiva.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Painted in opaque watercolour and gold on paper |
| Brief description | Painting, the swing. in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, Kangra, ca. 1790 |
| Physical description | Painting, in opaque watercolour and gold on paper, depicting a woman seated on a swing against a background of storm clouds. She is accompanied by her maids. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Content description | A woman seated on a swing against a background of storm clouds. She is accompanied by her maids. |
| Styles | |
| Credit line | Purchased from Dr A. K. Coomaraswamy |
| Object history | Described as Rajput (Pahari) by the vendor Purchased from Dr A. K. Coomaraswamy, 39 Brookfield, West Hill, Highgate N. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. RP 1912-3121M and 1912-3515M |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | In this painting a nayika, or female heroine, is seated on a swing accompanied by three maids, one of whom is carrying a morchhal (peacock feather fan). Exquisitely dressed in pink, orange and gold, the nayika wears numerous strands of pearls around her neck and wrists. Her coy, downcast gaze and knowing smile are typical of the idealisation of female beauty as interpreted through the Kangra painting style of the Punjab Hills. The thick monsoonal clouds above indicate this may be a representation of the festival Teej. This festival, celebrated at the beginning of the month of Shravan (August-September), sees numerous swings hung from trees and women singing songs in celebration of the arriving monsoon, which is seen as a romantic and erotically charged season in literature and painting. The festival of Teej is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati and celebrates her marriage with Shiva. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.73-1912 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
