Unknown Artist
- Title
- Sharad Purnima festival painting
- Place of origin
-
Nathdwara,
Rajasthan,
India
- Year
- mid 19th century
- Media
- Painting
- Medium
- picchvai, painting on cotton ground
- Dimensions
- 271.8 x 251.5cm
- Credit
- Purchased 2011
- Accession number
- 217.2011
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
A 'picchvai' is a large-scale painting produced to be hung in a Pushti Marg shrine. The Pushti Marg (Path of Grace) is a Hindu sect that focuses on the worship of Krishna. This 'picchvai' depicts the Sharad Purnima festival, which takes place during the Autumn full moon. It is the time for 'rasalila', when Krishna and the 'gopis' (cowgirls) dance and play together in the forest. This festival was particularly popular as a 'picchvai' subject, being considered an instance of a soul’s ecstatic union with god. This image would probably have been hung several days prior to the festival night, as it does not show the dancing itself.
The image is of Krishna with his hand raised in dance, and surrounded by 'gopis'. His feet pointing to each side and his rounded face both suggest a mid-nineteenth century date. The white background behind Krishna is a curtain the colour of moonlight that is appropriate for the time of year and the impending festival. The starry night sky reminds the viewer that the Sharad Purnima festival is coming. In the sky are six flying boats holding gods and sages. The inset images below the main one represent people and events connected with the Pushti Marg sect. The large panel below Shri Nathji displays the Govardhan 'puja' (when Krishna’s defeat of Indra is celebrated) on the left. On the right the 'gopis' gather around Krishna. On the right and left sides of the painting are boxes of standing figures paying homage to Krishna. At the bottom of the painting is a narrow strip of water filled with lotus leaves and flowers. This represents the River Jumna, the site of many of Krishna’s life events. The row of cows belongs to the 'gopis' drawn to Krishna. The painting is surrounded by a narrow band of flowers.
Asian Art Department, AGNSW, June 2011.
- Bibliography (1)
-
Look (Nov 2011), Jill Sykes (Australia) (Editor), 10pm [print management] (Australia), Newtown, New South Wales, Australia.
- Exhibition history (1)
-
One hundred flowers (2011), (01 Sep 2011–15 Jan 2012), at Art Gallery of New South Wales (Australia, estab. 1874), Art Gallery Rd Domain Sydney New South Wales Australia 2000.