Sohni Crossing a River at Night to Meet Mahinval

Artist/Culture Mughal

Artist/Culture Indian

Dateabout 1770

Mediumwatercolor and gold metallic paint on paper

Dimensions20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.)

ClassificationsNon-Western Miniatures

Credit LineGift of Alexander H. Bullock

Terms

Object number1953.80

DescriptionFrom court of Lucknow?; illustration to a Punjabi folk tale: provincal Mughal: previously called - Swimming across a stream to visit her lover
Label TextAccording to the tale, Sohni loved Mahinval, a herder of buffalo. Because they lived on opposite banks of the river, Sohni crossed the river every night, using and inverted earthen pot as a float. Her brothers soon discovered the secret love affair, and thinking the alliance dishonorable because the lovers were of different backgrounds, they substituted a pot of unbaked clay for the one Sohni always used, when she crossed the river that night, the pot disintegrated and Sohni drowned. The figure of the wise man in the tale is unclear, but he may be symbolic of dharma ("law," "duty"), which the two lovers violated by their affair. Although some interpret Sohni's journey to Mahinval as a soul's quest for god, it is more likely the painting simply warns against illicit love. Provincial Mughal painters at courts such as Lucknow owe their delicate drawing and fine modeling of the human figure, skillful shading of textile folds, and realistic rendering of landscapes to the influence of Mughal naturalism. The composition of this painting is reminiscent of the earlier Mughal "scheme of overlapping diagonals," as it takes the eye up and down, from the wise man's glowing pink robes to the translucent ivory skins of the lovers. The dreamy landscape and subtle, yet powerful, colors--punctuated only by the bright orange red of swords, feet, and jewelry--further enhance the miniature's romantic mood.ProvenanceAlexander H. Bullock, Worcester MA

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