RADHA AND KRISHNA IN A BOWER: A FOLIO FROM THE GITA GOVINDA, ATTRIBUTABLE TO A MASTER OF THE FIRST GENERATION AFTER NAINSUKH, Pahari, Kangra or Guler, circa 1780

Opaque watercolour heightened with gold on paper

Doris Wiener, New York, 1985

Condition: minor rubbing and very light paint loss on top left corner along the left edges, bottom left corner and bottom centre; very light folding mark on lower left. Colour: the catalogue illustration is accurate; however, the overall tonality is lighter and softer with traces of more vibrant green. As viewed.
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This lyrical illustration is from one of the best-known and most aesthetically harmonious series in Indian painting - the Gita Govinda produced about 1780 by an artist of 'the first generation after Nainsukh'. The present illustration depicts Krishna and Radha making love under a leafy bower on the banks of the Yamuna river, the fecundity and floral beauty of the wooded glade symbolising their mystical union.

The Gita Govinda (Song of the Dark Lord) composed by the 12th century poet Jayadeva, is an evocative description of the courtship and love between Krishna and Radha. Composed as a homage to Krishna, the poem serves as an allegory for the soul's longing to unite with the Divine, yet the lyrical beauty and tactile eroticism of its verse also stimulates the senses. The poem examines all the nuances of love in great detail; unrestrained longing, awakened hope, disappointment, pride and anger against the unfaithful one and finally reconciliation and climactic passion, taking the reader, "... through the tempestuous process of emotional – and spiritual struggle – for grace." (Mason 2001, p. 192)

Goswamy and Fischer attribute this great series, originally comprising over 140 paintings, to a 'master of the first generation after Nainsukh' (Goswamy and Fischer 1992). Archer considered the series to be by Sansar Chand's favourite artist Kushala (son of Manaku), assisted by his cousin Gaudhu (son of Nainsukh), both descendants of the master artist Pandit Seu (Archer 1973, vol.I, p.292). This series was possibly painted in anticipation of Sansar Chand's marriage in 1781 to the daughter of Kishan Singh of Suket. Archer pointed out that, in order that the subjects of the Gita Govinda may be put in a context familiar to the royal couple, the scenes of Radha and Krishna were set amongst scenery typical of the region.

For other paintings from this series see Dye 2001, no. 151, p. 350;  Mason 2001, no. 82 & 83, pp. 192-194; Archer 1973, vol.I, pp.291-293, vol.II, pp.205-208; Goswamy and Fischer 1992, nos. 130–137, pp. 320–331; The Bachofen von Echt Collection, Indian Miniatures, Sotheby's, London, 29 April 1992, lot 26; and Important Indian Paintings from the Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck Collection, Sotheby's, New York, 22 March, 2002, lot 52; 24 March 2011, lot 91.