Portrait of Samveda
Portrait of Samveda by Mewar court artist circa 1720 CE Gouache on paper 15 x 9 in. (38.1 x 22.9 cm.)
Portrait of Rigveda
Portrait of Rigveda by Mewar court artist circa 1720 CE Gouache on paper 15 x 9.2 in. (38.1 x 23.4 cm.) Each portrait shows veda as bulky men (but of different groups) and appear to be learned Brahmins. Facial feature of Rigveda corresponds the contemporary age and look of the patron Maharana Sangram Singh (r. 1710-1734). All the […]
Maharaja Bisal Dev Warrior king of Ajmer
Maharaja Bisal Dev (8th century) Warrior king of Ajmer by Ajmer court artist circa 1760 CE Gouache on paper 12.6 x 8.7 in. (32 x 22.1 cm.) Front: “Shri Bisal Devji Raja Ajmer ra” Raja Bisal Dev (Vishal Dev Chauhan) of Ajmer is represented as a personification of a fierce demon on a killing spree. Vishal Dev […]
A guthaka, portable shrine
Tilkayat performs the arti during the Annakoot festival of the various swarups of Lord Krishna by Nathdwara Haveli artist circa 1750 CE 6.1 x 5.7 in. (15.5 x 14.5 cm.) Gouache on paper, bound as a book These folios are possibly the earliest examples of Nathdwara paper painting tradition. These depict all the influences which shaped […]
Baba Shri Morarswami reciting from a manuscript
Baba Shri Morarswami reciting from a manuscript by Dungarpur court artist circa 1860 CE Gouache on paper 7.4 x 5.8 in. (18.8 x 14.7 cm.) Front: “Babaji Shri Morarswami” Babaji Shri Morarswami was a highly regarding preacher from Saurashtra, in Gujarat. There is also a small temple in his honour in Saurashtra. However nothing much is yet […]
Gokulnathji reciting from a manuscript
Gokulnathji (1552-1641) reciting from a manuscript Artist following Kishangarh-Nathdwara style circa 1840 CE Gouache on paper 12.6 x 9.4 in. (32 x 24 cm.) Gokulnathji was the fourth son of Vitthalnathji and gained immense popularity as a devout Pushtimargi. He compiled a number of books in a vernacular dialect, Braj bhasha, which had a deep impact on local […]
Vallabhacharya chanting on beads
Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) chanting on beads Attributed to Nihal Chand, Kishangarh circa 1750 CE Gouache on paper 9.6 x 7.4 in. (24.4 x 18.8 cm.) The founder of the Pushtimarg, Vallabhacharya was a mystic person and was blessed with divine vision. He also propounded the methods and rituals for seva, which are practised till day by Pushtimargis. He travelled […]
Maharaja Kishor Singh of Kotah worshiping Shrinathji
Maharaja Kishor Singh (r.1819-1828) of Kotah worshiping Shrinathji by Kotah court artist circa 1820 CE Gouache on paper 13.2 x 9.7 in. (33.5 x 24.6 cm.) Revered as one of the most inspired Vaishnav among nineteenth-century rulers, Maharao Kishor Singh worshipped Shrinathji and all his swarups, including his personal deity Brijnathji. Artist has played an interesting game […]
A Goswami enjoying monsoon in a baradari
A Goswami enjoying monsoon in a baradari by Nathdwara Haveli artist circa 1880 CE Gouache on paper 10.1 x 13.9 in. (25.7 x 35.3 cm.) A Goswami seated on an ornate chair inside a baradari (marble pavilion) constructed in a garden gives a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle followed by Goswamis and their families. Following the Libel […]
Tilkayat Damodarji Maharaj with a shishya
Tilkayat Damodarji Maharaj (1797-1826) with a shishya by Nathdwara Haveli artist circa 1850 CE Gouache on paper 12.8 x 9.8 in. (32.5 x 24.9 cm.) In a short lived stewardship, Tilkayat Damodarji made a great impact on varied aspects of society. He constructed a number of private and public utility buildings including Bada Baag, Bada Bazar, Mathura Darwaza, […]