Object Details
Court
Sirohi Court
School/Tradition
Rajput school
Label
The pulsating energy, sophisticated geometry, and heated palette of this painting present the Sirohi school at its finest. While Sarang raga is usually represented as an ascetic calmly playing music, this artist shifted the emphasis to the two leaping deer in the center. He also enlivened a rigorous architectural grid with calligraphic flourishes and inserted witty illusions, such as a golden window into the black night sky. The electric contrast of pale blue ash upon the yogi's peach complexion and the expansively spiraling foliage epitomize the Sirohi master's daring style, as well as his impeccable control of the watercolor medium.
Provenance
From 1973 to 1992
Baron and Baroness Bachofen von Echt, purchased at auction, Sotheby's, July 11, 1973, lot no. 135 [1]
From 1992
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased at auction, "The Bachofen von Echt Collection," Sotheby's, London, April 29, 1992, lot no. 36 [2]
Notes:
[1] According to Curatorial Note 4 in the object record.
[2] See note 1.
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History
Body Image (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
Yoga: The Art of Transformation (October 19, 2013 to January 26, 2014)
Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas (October 16, 2004 to January 3, 2016)
South and South East Asian Art (May 9, 1993 to February 7, 2000)
Previous custodian or owner
Baron and Baroness Bachofen von Echt
Sotheby's (London)
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Date
ca. 1680-1690
Accession Number
F1992.18
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Painting
Medium
Opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 23.2 x 17.8 cm (9 1/8 x 7 in)
Origin
Sirohi, Rajasthan state, India
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
deer
music
ascetic
ragamala
India
South Asian and Himalayan Art
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_F1992.18