Malasri Ragini: A Woman Plucks the Petals of a Lotus Flower, Page from a Ragamala series
DateLate 18th century
MediumOpaque watercolors and gold on paper
DimensionsImage: 9 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches (24.1 x 15.9 cm)
CultureIndia
PeriodRajasthan, Bundi
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Baekeland
Terms
- Rajasthan
- Paintings
- heightened with gold
- wide red border with black and yellow margins.
- Beds
- Birds
- Clouds
- Costume
- Domes
- Domestic interiors
- Dwellings
- Furniture
- Gardens
- Jewelry - Bracelets
- Jewelry - Necklaces
- Lotus flowers
- Lotus petals
- Lotuses
- Nose rings
- Peacocks
- Spires
- Veils
- Paper
- Indian
Object number86.088.003
Label CopyThis painting comes from a dispersed Ragamala (Garland of Musical Modes). The most common configuration of ragamala consists of thirty-six musical modes: six male modes, called raga, and thirty female modes, known as ragini (five "wives" for each male). Each raga or ragini evokes a time of day and a particular mood or emotion.
Malasri ragini depicts a woman sitting outside of her bedchamber, gazing at and beginning to pluck the petals of a large lotus flower. The mood is one of longing and anticipation, as she awaits the arrival of her lover. The scene occurs at sunset, as the stars just begin to appear above brightly colored clouds. In the large tree a peacock and peahen sit close together, alluding to the lovers’ imminent tryst.
Collections
late 18th century
Unidentified artist
late 18th century
Region, Rajasthan-jaipur
late 18th century
Unidentified artist
Unidentified artist
late 18th century
