Kamodini Ragini
Artist
Rajasthani
Artist
Rajput
Date18th century
Mediumwatercolor on paper
Dimensions18.4 x 11.7 cm (7 1/4 x 4 5/8 in.)
ClassificationsNon-Western Miniatures
Credit LineBequest of Mrs. Frank E. Heywood
Object number1937.81
Label TextLike other vasakasajja nayikas, the orange-clad Kamodini is ready to receive her lover. She has made her home by a silver river in the dense forest, and there she waits, listening to woodland noises. Like the peacock, the crane, with its long neck raised in hopeful yearning, is often used to symbolize lonely desire.
The inscription reads:
Glory to the lord Ganesha!
Here is the story of Kamodini Ragini.
Doha:
The passionate [Kamodini] tembles inwardly as she thinks
about [Krishna, the conqueror of] Saubha city.
In the clearing is a crane, alaka plants are overspread,
and the clouds bear on the young moon.
Such is the young Kamodini.
Although this painting shares stylistic elements with the late eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Bikaner and Datia painting, the half-closed eyes, side strand of hair, simple rounded face, and regularized foliage more strongly suggest Jaipur painting of a somewhat earlier period. The court of Jaipur was heavily influence by Mughal standards, but the lack of modeling in the face and purple rocks indicates this painting was under the influence of the local tradition.
ProvenanceMrs. Frank E. Heywood, Worcester MAOn View
Not on view
