Untitled

Unknown

late 18th century · Painted and printed gold and silver leaf and opaque watercolor on indigo-dyed cotton · Asian Art

Large painted cloths (pichhwais) were made to hang behind the main image in a temple. This textile was produced for the Festival of Cows (Gopashtami), which occurs in the late autumn to celebrate Krishna’s elevation from a herder of calves to a cowherd. Note the range of cows and frolicking calves that populate the flower-strewn field. The indigo ground and extensive use of gold and silver are typical of pichhwais that were made for a community of Sri Nathji devotees who moved to the Deccan during this period.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 18th century

Medium

Painted and printed gold and silver leaf and opaque watercolor on indigo-dyed cotton

Culture

India, Deccan, Aurangabad (?)

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2003