An opaque watercolor painting depicting a standing woman at the center wearing a pale green shawl and dress. She stands on a flat, white walkway with red flowers behind and in front of her. There are two birds next to her and two tall trees behind her on either side.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

A rectangular opaque watercolor painting depicting a standing woman at the center wearing a pale green shawl and dress. She has her right hand around her chest and she faces to the viewer’s left. She stands on a flat, white walkway with red flowers behind and in front of her. There are two small birds next to her on the left and two tall trees behind her on either side with swirling grey clouds above. There is a pale curved shape along the ground in front of her.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1971.136
Title
Virahotkanthita Nayika on a Terrace with Birds
Classification
Albums
Work Type
album folio
Date
19th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216057

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Pahari Style, Kangra School
Dimensions
26.3 x 17.4 cm (10 3/8 x 6 7/8 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John Kenneth Galbraith
Accession Year
1971
Object Number
1971.136
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Standing barefoot on a white terrace is a Virahotkanthita Nayika, (“One Distressed by Separation”), a heroine that waits for her lover to return from a long journey. She wears a gold-green costume, a shawl that is draped over her head, earrings, necklaces, a head ornament, a nose ring, rings, and bracelets. Her finger tips are dyed with henna. Her right hand is placed over her heart, holding her garment up. Next to her is a large male pigeon and a mourning dove. In the foreground is a small fountain flanked by flower patches. The background features two large flowering trees and large red blooms. Pahari Style, Kangra School.

Publication History

  • Stuart Cary Welch and Milo Cleveland Beach, Gods, Thrones, and Peacocks Northern Indian Painting from Two Traditions, exh. cat., Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York, NY, 1965), page 107/figure 74

Exhibition History

  • Ambassador's Choice: The Galbraith Collection of Indian Painting, Harvard University Art Museums, Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 02/15/1986 - 04/06/1986
  • 32Q: 2590 South and Southeast Asia, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 04/17/2019 - 11/06/2019

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or 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