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A Courtesan and Her Lover Estranged by a Quarrel: Page from a Rasamanjari series

dated 1694–95
Not on view
The Rasamanjari (Essence of the Experience of Delight) is a series of late fifteenth-century poems that subtly categorizes amorous situations, moods, and physical traits of women. In this image, the half-open doorway alludes to the lover’s hasty departure from the palace of his mistress. The marble gateway with darkened portal visually separates the two and forms a visual metaphor for their rift. Unlike earlier versions of this theme, in which the nayaka (lover hero) is represented as Krishna, here that role is played by a princely figure, adding heightened realism to the scene.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A Courtesan and Her Lover Estranged by a Quarrel: Page from a Rasamanjari series
  • Artist: Devidasa of Nurpur (active ca. 1680–ca. 1720)
  • Date: dated 1694–95
  • Culture: India (Punjab Hills, Basohli)
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Overall: 8 5/8 x 12 3/4in. (21.9 x 32.4cm)
    Painting within ruled lines: 6 3/4 x 11 1/4 in. (17.2 x 28.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Cora Timken Burnett, 1956
  • Object Number: 57.51.14
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar: Folio from a Rasamanjari Series, Devidasa of Nurpur, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper, India (Basohli, Jammu)
Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar: Folio from a Rasamanjari Series
Devidasa of Nurpur
dated 1694–95
Darshan of Krishna: Folio from the Rasamanjari II Series, Devidasa of Nurpur, Opaque watercolor, silver and gold on paper, India (Basohli, Jammu)
Returned to lender
Darshan of Krishna: Folio from the Rasamanjari II Series
Devidasa of Nurpur
dated 1695
Sanehi Ragini: Folio from a Ragamala Series, Devidasa of Nurpur, Opaque watercolor, gold and beetle-wing cases on paper, India (Nurpur, Punjab Hills)
Returned to lender
Sanehi Ragini: Folio from a Ragamala Series
Devidasa of Nurpur
ca. 1690
Shiva and Parvati as Ardhanishvara: Folio from the Rasamanjari II Series, Devidasa of Nurpur, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, India (Nurpur Basohli, Jammu)
Returned to lender
Shiva and Parvati as Ardhanishvara: Folio from the Rasamanjari II Series
Devidasa of Nurpur
dated 1694–95
Pichhwai for the Festival of Cows, Painted and printed gold and silver leaf and opaque watercolor on indigo-dyed cotton, India, Deccan, Aurangabad (?)
Pichhwai for the Festival of Cows
India, Deccan, Aurangabad (?)
late 18th century

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