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An opaque watercolor painting on gold paper that depicts a seated figure on a pink flower with many faces and arms, a seated woman, and a standing woman. They are below a small, white domed building that is surrounded by trees and flowers. There is script writing above the image and the painting is framed with a red band that is decorated with blue and white flower motifs.

A rectangular opaque watercolor painting on gold paper that depicts three people along the bottom on a bright orange background and a white, domed building in the back surrounded by trees and flowers. The seated male figure is on the bottom-right sitting on a cushion with pink petals around him. He wears yellow pants and has two pairs of arms and four faces, all of which are under a crown. The kneeling woman on the left faces him and wears a blue skirt, red top, and jewelry. There is a small fire in between them. There is a standing woman on the far left that wears a green skirt, yellow top, and jewelry. She holds a small fan above the kneeling woman. The building above them has small patterns decorating it and the flora line up alongside it horizontally. There is script writing above the image and the painting is framed with a red band that is decorated with blue and white flower motifs.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1960.681
People
Attributed to Jai Kisan of Malpura, Indian
Title
Khambhavati Ragini, from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series
Other Titles
Former Title: Khambhavati Ragini , Lady Worships Brahma, from a Ragamala Series (Garland of Melodies)
Classification
Paintings
Work Type
painting
Date
18th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Malpura
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/215799

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
31.75 x 21.59 cm (12 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: Language: Hindi
    Script: Devanagari
    “He [Brahma] teaches the Vedas . . . and causes other to perform the fire-oblation. A bright garment covers the beauty of [her] body; [her] fair color gleams.”

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Eric Schroeder, Cambridge, MA (by 1960), gift; to Fogg Art Museum, 1960.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Eric Schroeder
Accession Year
1960
Object Number
1960.681
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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Descriptions

Description
The four-headed Brahma, Hindu god of creation and one of the members of the Trimurti (Trinity), sits cross-legged on a large pink lotus. He wears a large gold crown, topped with lotuses, that spans his four heads; a pendant necklace, strands of large pearls, bracelets, and a yellow dhoti, a garment worn by male Hindus that consists of a piece of fabric tied around the waist and extending to cover most of the legs. Two of his four hands holds paper with black inscriptions. Based on the text associated with the image, Brahma is most likely holding the Vedas in hands. Another hand holds a large gold ladle and the fourth gestures in conversation. He faces a kneeling female mendicant who provides a fire offering to the God. The female devotee wears a chaniya choli, consisting of a pink crop top and a long blue and red skirt. A translucent shawl covers her head and runs down her body. She is also adorned with jewelry, consisting of a heard ornament, a pendant necklace, strands of pearls, armlets, bracelets, earrings, and a nose ring. Her hands are raised in veneration. Behind her is a standing female attendant who holds a white scarf over the mendicant’s head, denoting the latter’s royal status. The attendant wears a chaniya choli consisting of a yellow crop top and green skirt; a shawl that covers her head and runs down her back; earrings; nose ring; armlets; and bracelets. In the background is a large white pavilion flanked by tall green trees. Male peacocks perch on some of these trees. The blue sky bears wispy clouds and a gold sun with a smiling face.

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 2590 South and Southeast Asia, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 03/20/2015 - 07/21/2015
  • Water Stories: river goddesses, ancestral rites, and climate crisis, Radcliffe Institute Johnson-Kulukundis Family Gallery, 09/18/2023 - 12/16/2023

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu