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South Asia, India, ca. 19th century CE. A finely painted depiction of Hindu lovers, most likely the infamous Krishna and Radha. Both are finely dressed, as if in wedding vestments, though the pair never married. Perhaps this is a fantasized vision of their forbidden union - a fictional marriage between the two or the final meeting of the young lovers. A stunning and colorful painting featuring these legendary lovers set in a verdant landscape beneath a golden canopy, and surrounded by attendants. The central image is surrounded by a hand-painted floral border, and the entire composition is matted and framed under glass. The Radha-Krishna romance is a prominent subject of Indian art and literature, serving as a model of allegorical love to which all should aspire. Radha was Krishna's favorite of all the gopis (cow herding maidens), and their love signifying rapture between God and human soul has often been interpreted as the hope for the union between humanity and the divine. Size: 9.375" L x 6.75" W (23.8 cm x 17.1 cm); 18" L x 14" W (45.7 cm x 35.6 cm) framed

This couple had quite a history beginning in childhood when they grew up together, playing, dancing, and hoping to spend the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately the universe pulled them apart. Krishna came to be worshipped as a lord who defended his people and vanquished his enemies, while Radha waited for him. Krishna married Rukmini and Styabhama; he raised a family and fought valiantly in the war of Ayodyha, while Radha still waited - so immense was her love for Krishna. Song writers and poets have used their torrid love as inspiration for centuries.

Why is Krishna's skin blue? This is a question often asked. One legend tells of how the young Krishna was jealous of Radha's light complexion. He asked his mother why nature had been so unfair to him, for he was dark skinned and Radha by comparison possessed a fair complexion. According to one legend, a demon once tried to kill Krishna with poisoned milk and as a result Krishna turned blue. Fortunately, Krishna did not perish; however, the demon disintegrated into ashes. In another story, Krishna's doting mother tried to pacify her son by instructing him to color Radha's face whatever color he wished. He then colored Radha's face so that it looked just like his own.

Mughal painting refers to a type of miniature painting - either serving as book illustrations or created as single work. The term miniature suggests a tiny scale; however, it actually indicates a style of watercolor work similar to early European book illustrations that used the red pigment minia. Some Indian miniatures are in fact quite large. The Mughal style stems from Persian miniature painting, though with Indian Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist influences, evolving largely throughout the Mughal Empire (16th to 19th centuries), and eventually spreading to other Indian courts - Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh - flourishing during the reigns of Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Jahangir. The tradition continues today with Mughal-style miniature paintings still being created, though only by a relatively small number of artists in Rajasthan.

Provenance: ex Gomez collection, Colorado, USA

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#145237

Painting has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in very good condition as does the framing. Wired for suspension and ready to hang.