Ladies Beside a Lotus Pool

Historical period(s)
ca. 1710
School
Pahari School
Medium
Color, gold, and silver on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 20.5 x 16.4 cm (8 1/16 x 6 7/16 in)
Geography
India, Punjab Hills, Himachal Pradesh state, Kulu
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1932.10
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Painting

Keywords
bathing, India, lotus
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Label

Lotuses, which arise from the murky depths of brackish water to become full, fragrant blossoms, are symbols of purity. The beauty of the heroine of this illustration, from an unknown series, is here compared to the flowers. While the exact provenance of the painting is uncertain, it is stylistically linked to works known to have come from Basohli. This court was among the first in the Punjab Hills to have patronized artists. Later illustrations from the area (such as the Nala-Damayanti drawings) show the major impact of imperial Mughal styles practiced around Delhi.

Published References
  • Mario Bussagli. Indian Miniatures. London and New York. p. 119, pl. 54.
Collection Area(s)
South Asian and Himalayan Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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