Page 136 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art March 2016 New York

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THE ADORATION OF KRISHNA BY THE GOPIS
Attributed to the Bundi artist Mira Bagas at the Uniara court, circa 1743
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper.
Image: 12 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. (31.1 x 21 cm);
Folio: 14 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. (37 x 26.7 cm)
$15,000 - 20,000
This painting transforms the divine loveplay of Krishna and the gopis under the full moon in
Vrinda forest into a motionless adoration scene whose solemn stillness evokes an arresting
holy atmosphere.
The beautiful deep blue of his face; the golden brilliance of his throne and crown; the
suggestive towering palms, double cypresses, and spreading plantains – symbols of the
lingam and yoni; and the abundant lotus pond: all these alamkaras (adornments) enhance
the shringara rasa and shanta rasa of this hieratic adoration scene.
The painting is possibly a pendant of The Adoration of Rama attributed to Mira Bagas at Uniara
in 1743 published in Beach, Rajput Painting at Bundi and Kota, Ascona, Plate LVI, fig. 56.
Uniara is a small state bordering the better-known principalities of Jaipur, Bundi, and Kota.
Painting at Uniara flourished under the patronage of Sardar Singh I (r. 1740-1777), and Mira
Bagas brought with him the distinctive Bundi style of dense, lush trees framing compacted
architecture. His style then evolved to simpler, open platforms, and great prominence given
to the primary figures, exemplified in this adoration scene.
Provenance
Private European Collection, acquired between 1968-72

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