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Princess Damayanti and the Swan Messenger

Y. G. Srimati Indian

ca. 1948–50

Not on view

This scene depicts a moment in the romance between Nala and Damayanati, an episode (upakhyana) from the Mahabharata. Characterized as an epic within an epic, the story explores the catharsis of emotions as experienced by the king, Nala, and his lover, Damayanti. Their romantic entanglement has been engineered by the swan, who acts as messenger between the two. Srimati drew on the stylized figure-type of the sixth-century Ajanta cave murals, creating an image that is overtly sensual.

Princess Damayanti and the Swan Messenger, Y. G. Srimati (Indian, 1926–2007), Watercolor on paper, India (Chennai) — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Princess Damayanti and the Swan Messenger

Artist: Y. G. Srimati (Indian, 1926–2007)

Date: ca. 1948–50

Culture: India (Chennai)

Medium: Watercolor on paper

Dimensions: Image: 20 in. × 13 1/4 in. (50.8 × 33.7 cm)
Mat: 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Credit Line: Lent by Michael Pellettieri

Rights and Reproduction: © M. Pellettieri

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Asian Art at The Met

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world.