A Young Goswami conducting a court
by Nathdwara Haveli artist
circa 1840 CE
Gouache on paper
9.8 x 13.8 in. (24.9 x 35.1 cm.)
Painting style of Nathdwara was formed by amalgamating idioms from Kotah, Mewar, Kishangarh and other nearby areas, and this merger of styles at times (like in the case of this portrait) creates confusion in contextualization and identification.
A young Goswami (but senior in position, as evident from his seat and green-golden nimbus), is conducting a court or is preaching his disciples (including two young shishyas) and is also chanting on his rosary hidden under his gomukhi. Bright colours of outfits and soft furnishings are drawn from primary and secondary colour schemes and are balanced with white colonnade of cusped arches and neutral grey of background.