Lot 205
  • 205

An Illustration from the Sunder Shringar: Radha in Conversation with her Attendant

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
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Description

  • An Illustration from the Sunder Shringar:Radha in Conversation with her Attendant
  • Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper
  • image 5 5/8 by 9 1/4 in. (14.2 by 23.4 cm.)
  • folio 7 1/2 by 11 1/4 in. (19.1 by 28.5 cm.) unframed
The present and three following illustrations are from the Sunder Shringar, a poem detailing the moods of love and the classification of heroines or nayika bheda, composed in the mid-seventeenth century by the poet Sunder Kavi, a contemporary of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. In the present series, the characters of Radha and Krishna are used to present idealized notions of courtship and romance between the hero and heroine, which are celebrated in the poem.



Here we see Radha seated in a terraced pavilion with her attendant discussing her misgivings at her lover Krishna's stealthy dalliances with others.



There is a striking similarity between the present series and the famous Tehri Garhwal Gita Govinda album, which depicts another epic poem on the divinity of love, rendered in the same exquisite palette and delicate style. The refinement of the present group suggests that the artist was at least aware of the other series and may have even worked in that court atelier during the same period.

Provenance

Acquired from the Royal Library of Mandi in 1969

Condition

Good overall condition. Slight abrasion to gray wall behind head of seated woman at right. Small spot to niche above head of seated woman at left. Devanagari inscription on reverse. Color brighter that catalogue illustration. Displayed in a temporary frame for exhibition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

For other illustrations from the same series see Sotheby's New York, April 1, 2005, lots 110-113; September 20, 2005, lots 106-109; March 29, 2006, lots 149-152 and September 19, 2006, lots 1-5. Another illustrated album on the same subject is in the collection of the Allahabad Museum.