Page 212 - Eye of the beholder

indian 'caPriccio' MiniaTureS
Indian miniatures depicting couples in various settings generally draw their inspiration from the Baramasa, Rasamanjari or the Ragmalas. In later years of the 18th century and subsequently, artists often started painting miniatures for their decorative value. These miniatures often had elements assembled from various schools and pedigrees.
“These "capriccio' miniatures, of which this one is a fine example, grew in abundance from the 19th century. In the current example, the faces, dresses and gait are reminiscent of earlier Deccani miniatures with a strong Mughal influence. The Rajput touches are visible in the vegetation and the backdrop, while the floral border borrows heavily from the Pahari and Mughal idiom.
Undoubtedly by a very good hand, there is a good possibility that this work was commissioned by someone for their own private collection in one of the important cities in colonial India - probably Oudh and or Delhi.
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