Accession Number
1964/2.114

Title
A celebration of the rains

Artist(s)
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Kotah School

Object Creation Date
early 19th century

Medium & Support
Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper

Dimensions
9 5/8 in x 6 1/2 in (24.5 cm x 16.5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. George P. Bickford for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection

Label copy
Gallery Rotation Fall 2013
Celebration of the Rains
India, Rajasthan, Kotah School
Early 19th century
Ink, opaque watercolor, silver, and gold on paper
Gift of Mr. George P. Bickford for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection, 1964/2.114
In India, the monsoon season is welcomed with joy, for it brings a refreshing end to a long period of heat and drought. The artist has perfectly captured the moist atmosphere of the monsoons, with fresh greens for the foliage and dark blue clouds sprinkled with lightning. Caught up in a festive mood, court ladies have gathered on the lawn to take turns at the swing under a blossoming tree, while the raja (prince) and his paramour watch from a balcony of his palace.
The bristling energy of this small masterpiece is typical of paintings from the small state of Kotah.

Subject matter
In India, the monsoon season is welcomed with joy, for it brings a refreshing end to a long period of heat and drought. The artist has perfectly captured the moist atmosphere of the monsoons, with fresh greens for the foliage and dark blue clouds sprinkled with lightning. Caught up in a festive mood, court ladies have gathered on the lawn to take turns at the swing under a blossoming tree, while the raja and his paramour watch from a balcony of his palace.

Physical Description
Fresh greens for the foliage and dark blue clouds sprinkled with lightning set the rain celebration scene. Court ladies have gathered on the lawn, and some swing under a blossoming tree, while the raja and a woman watch the exciement below from a balcony of his white palace.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
cards (information artifacts)
celebrations
painting (coating)
palaces
play (recreation)
trees
women (female humans)