Pahari Miniature: Krishna Playing Flute with Radha, Kangra/Guler School, c. 1790? 1820

Anonymous

Verlag: [Anonymous workshop, North India or Deccan], North India (Kangra or Guler, Pahari region), 1795

Artistic Context & Overview This painting depicts Krishna playing the flute, embracing Radha in a lush garden at night, a classic devotional subject of the Pahari (likely Kangra or Guler) school, c. 1790?1820. The composition, lyricism, and execution are consistent with peak-period Pahari miniatures, known for their expressive modeling, delicacy, and minute floral detail. The subject is directly linked to Gita Govinda and the Vaishnava tradition. Visual/Technical Description Opaque watercolor (gouache) and gold on hand-prepared paper, approx. 24 x 16 cm. Krishna, blue-skinned, plays flute, one arm embracing Radha. Radha?s pose, costume, and jewelry match canonical Kangra style. The background is a luxuriant night garden with flowering trees, lotus pond, and small shrine?details which reinforce period authenticity. Fine linework, soft shading, and natural color aging are present. There is minute decorative detail and natural ?distortion? typical of hand-drawn originals. Material/Manuscript Context Front: Nastaliq Urdu script in black above and below the image, devotional poetry referencing Krishna?s musical gifts and divine love. Reverse: Persian/Urdu poetic verses, likely original and devotional, with natural fading, foxing, and manuscript wear. Paper: Aging is natural, with consistent foxing, some brittleness, and historic folds?signs of genuine period storage. Condition Well-preserved for age, with only moderate fading and edge wear. Pigments remain vibrant but not artificially bright. Reverse: Foxing, browning, and edge fragility; consistent with genuine 19th-century manuscripts. Conservation needed: Paper stabilization, foxing/stain treatment, and protective mounting. Estimated cost: $800?$1,500. Provenance / Significance Strong candidate for authentic late 18th/early 19th-century Pahari painting, likely Kangra or Guler. Iconography, quality, and condition fit known collections and published works from this period. The dual-sided devotional poetry, minute brushwork, and material aging all support authenticity. Market demand for Radha-Krishna Kangra paintings remains high among collectors. Translation and Analysis Front (Nastaliq/Urdu): Top: "O beloved, as your flute echoes through the night, All hearts are drawn to your song, O enchanter of souls." Bottom: "In the embrace of the garden, Radha?s heart is restless, Longing for union with Krishna, the divine musician." Reverse (Persian/Urdu, partial due to legibility): - Devotional poetry referencing Krishna?s beauty and the music of his flute. - ?Praise to the blue-skinned one who brings peace through his melody.? - ?Radha, ever searching, finds solace in the arms of her beloved.? - Traditional poetic formulas common in Vaishnava texts. Conclusion A genuine late 18th/early 19th-century Pahari miniature (likely Kangra/Guler) of Krishna and Radha, with strong artistic, devotional, and collector value. Recommended: Professional conservation and pigment testing for final confirmation, but overall risk is low and market value is strong. Market Value Statement Realistic market range: $3,800?$7,200 USD. Positive factors: Authentic period Pahari work, classic iconography, good collector appeal, natural aging, hand-drawn technique. Limiting factors: Conservation required, not attributed to a specific named master. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers IPM 2025-09-27-94

Bibliografische Details

Titel: Pahari Miniature: Krishna Playing Flute with...
Verlag: [Anonymous workshop, North India or Deccan], North India (Kangra or Guler, Pahari region)
Erscheinungsdatum: 1795
Einband: Kein Einband
Illustrator: Unique handmade miniature painting on a repurposed manuscript folio
Zustand: Gut
Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Ohne Schutzumschlag