GAURI RAGINI, FOLIO FROM A RAGAMALA
The woman in this painting represents a raga, or Gauri, which is a set of rules in classical Indian music that allows musicians to improvise melodies. In Indian paintings, peacocks and peahens often indicate a romantic situation, such as the meeting of two lovers. Here, they may symbolize the woman’s beauty and desirability and may suggest a romantic mood of music.
This painting belongs to a set depicting various musical modes, or ragas. Each raga is associated with a specific image, a time of day, a season, or an emotion. The paintings, like the musical modes themselves, are meant to inspire an emotional response within the viewer. Artists typically represent the musical composition Gauri as a woman waiting for her beloved. Although male peacocks surround her, the dark cloudy sky suggests her lover may not come. The mood of the painting is that of yearning.
Object Number
S2018.1.49
Date
ca. 1625–30
Place of Origin
India
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H × W (overall): 23.5 × 19 cm
(9 1/4 × 7 1/2 in.)
Credit line
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection—funds provided by the Friends of the Freer and Sackler Galleries