Page 78 - CHRISTIE'S Himalayan and SOutheast Asian Works of Art 09/13/17

Indian Paintings

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AN ILLUSTRATION TO A RAGAMALA SERIES: DIPAK RAGA

INDIA, RAJASTHAN, BIKANER, CIRCA 1700
Opaque pigments and gold on paper
5√ x 4º in. (15 x 11 cm.)
$10,000-12,000
印度 拉賈斯坦邦 比卡內爾 約1700年 火光歌拉迦瑪拉繪畫

PROVENANCE

with Doris Wiener, New York.
Acquired from the above, 1972.
Ragamalas, which came in vogue by the sixteenth century, are a genre of
Indian painting whose imagery evokes the emotions associated with various
excerpts of classical music. The moods are conveyed through palette and rich
symbolism often associated a certain season or time of day. As dipak means
lamp or fame, this particular raga is a celebration of light and passionate
love. In this romantic evening scene, the royal couple is seated in discourse at
center. The prince has a small fame rising from his turban, by which to better
view his beloved. Further oil lamps are placed in the foreground, and the light
illuminates their jewelry, highlighting the charming details of the white dotted
pattern and the leaves of the blooming tree in the background. Outside of
the pavilion, a musician is seated playing the sitar, and the brown to rich blue
gradient of the sky enhances the overall mood of love blossoming at dusk.

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