2009.202.8: Gauri Ragini: Preparatory Drawing for a “Ragamala” Series Folio

Identification and Creation

Object Number

2009.202.8

Title

Gauri Ragini: Preparatory Drawing for a “Ragamala” Series Folio

Classification

Drawings

Work Type

drawing

Date

18th century

Places

Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan

Culture

Indian

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/218094

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and watercolor on paper

Dimensions

23.4 x 15.2 cm (9 3/16 x 6 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum.

Notes:
Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch

Accession Year

2009

Object Number

2009.202.8

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Contact

am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu

Permissions

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Descriptions

Description

The Gauri Ragini is meant to evoke a contemplative mood and is commonly represented by a female heroine (nayika) who is lovesick and reminisces about her lover in a forest. She typically holds flowers in her hands and her song and dance attract peacocks. Here, in this preparatory drawing, the female figure, surrounded by lush trees, carries large branches of flowers as young male peacocks gather around her. Dabs of opaque watercolor and watercolor are intended to guide the colorist. This preparatory drawing is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. Rajput, Rajasthani.

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