A Girl with a Pet Antelope

Object Details

• Court

  Kulu Court

• School/Tradition

  Pahari school

• Label

  Woman and love are recurring themes in the paintings of the Punjab Hills, and love in separation is frequently the artist's focus. In the symbolism that permeates these works, the antelope often refers to the absent lover, while the weeping willow echoes the sorrow of the woman longing for the return of her beloved. Such paintings may be read metaphorically to suggest the yearning of the human soul for union with the divine. The elegant woman with elongated lower limbs is a fine example of the Kulu artist's work, with the willow tree a recurring image.

• Provenance

  At least 1916-1937

  Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (1877-1947), method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1937

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, “Rajput Painting,” [book] (London: H. Milford, Oxford University Press, 1916), pl. XLVIII A. Object is described as "The pet deer. [...]. Collection of the author."

  See also untitled incoming receipt, undated (ca. 1937), copy in object file. The object was transferred from Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy to the Freer Gallery of Art for acquisition consideration on May 7, 1937.  Object is one of “3 Indian paintings” described.

  Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy was an art historian, curator, and collector of South Asian art. Born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Coomaraswamy grew up in England where he received a doctorate in geology. Coomaraswamy was active as a geologist until 1910, when he switched his interest to the arts of Ceylon and India. He became deeply committed to introducing Western audiences to Indian art. In 1917, he accepted a curatorial post at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he remained until his death.

  [2] See object file for copy of “A. K. Coomaraswamy” invoice to Freer Gallery of Art, dated June 21, 1937, and marked approved on June 21, 1937. Object is one of “3 Indian paintings, Rajput” described.

  Research updated November 15, 2023

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Female Imagery in Indian Painting (February 9 to August 5, 1996)

  South and South East Asian Art (May 9, 1993 to February 7, 2000)

  The Arts of South Asia (May 13, 1985 to December 2, 1985)

  Hindu and Buddhist Art (January 28, 1981 to September 24, 1981)

  Bicentennial Exhibition: Near Eastern and Indian Art (December 15, 1975 to November 10, 1976)

  Indian Art (January 1, 1963 to January 28, 1981)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Art, Gallery 8 (July 15, 1958 to January 1, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, West Corridor (February 25, 1956 to July 11, 1958)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Painting, 1955 (October 24, 1955 to November 28, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings and Sculpture (October 2, 1947 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings, Gallery 7 (January 10, 1945 to October 2, 1947)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings, Gallery 4 (May 5, 1933 to January 9, 1945)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (1877-1947)

• Origin

  Possibly Kulu, Himachal Pradesh state, Punjab Hills, India

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1740s, 1750s

• Name

  Coomaraswamy, Ananda K.

• Place

  Kulu, Punjab Hills, Himachal Pradesh state, India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Antelope

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Paintings