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INDIAN SCHOOL, LATE 18TH CENTURY
राधा कृष्ण होली Radha and Krishna celebrate holi
circa 1790RCIN 1005113.r
folio 16
This painting of Krishna and the gopīs celebrating the spring festival of Holī (also known as the 'festival of colours' or the 'festival of love') depicts them in a traditional forest grove. However the larger composition is that of a Lucknow-style palace with ornamental gardens and a princess sitting on a covered balcony. In the foreground is a lady filling up her water shooter with yellow-dyed water from a fountain pool. In the centre, the group of gopīs throw purple powder at each other while drums are played and, to the right, a eunuch dances waving a shawl above his head. Next to him a woman appears to tie a love note to a tree. Encircling the group are animal-skin clad dancing yogis, one of whom carries a peacock feather flywhisk. Watching from above is the princess and other ladies of the zenānā.
This painting of Krishna and the gopīs celebrating the spring festival of Holī (also known as the 'festival of colours' or the 'festival of love') depicts them in a traditional forest grove. However the larger composition is that of a Lucknow-style palace with ornamental gardens and a princess sitting on a covered balcony. In the foreground is a lady filling up her water shooter with yellow-dyed water from a fountain pool. In the centre, the group of gopīs throw purple powder at each other while drums are played and, to the right, a eunuch dances waving a shawl above his head. Next to him a woman appears to tie a love note to a tree. Encircling the group are animal-skin clad dancing yogis, one of whom carries a peacock feather flywhisk. Watching from above is the princess and other ladies of the zenānā.
