Vibhasa Ragini (painting, recto; text, verso), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

ManuscriptsIndian17th century

Vibhasa Ragini (painting, recto; text, verso), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

c. 1640-1660

Description

Vibhasa Ragini is commonly represented by a man firing an arrow at a rooster to stop it from crowing at dawn and awakening his lover. Here, the male figure aims his arrow at a large rooster on the right who is perched on a rock under a tree. His lover sits cross-legged beside him. This painting is a pictorial metaphor for a raga, a musical phrase that is used as the basis for improvisation. This folio most likely belonged to an album of Ragamala or "Garland of Melodies" folios produced in Malwa. Sanskrit verses associated with the raga or the ragini depicted on the recto are written on the verso. Other folios from the same series in the Harvard Art Museum’s collection are objects 1972.346, 1972.347, 1973.156, 1973.158, 1973.173, 1973.174. Rajput, Rajasthani, Malwa School.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Malwa Style

Culture

Indian

Century

17th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

sight: 22.2 x 15.1 cm (8 3/4 x 5 15/16 in.)

Related Artworks

Injured courtier under a tree

Injured courtier under a tree

Unknown Artist, c. 1610

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Mughal Style

17th centuryIndian

Manuchihr Slays Salm (text recto; painting verso of folio 43), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Manuchihr Slays Salm (text recto; painting verso of folio 43), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

Garsivaz Presents to Siyavush a Peace Offer and Royal Gifts from Afrasiyab (painting recto; text verso of folio 120), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Garsivaz Presents to Siyavush a Peace Offer and Royal Gifts from Afrasiyab (painting recto; text verso of folio 120), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

Jamshid Sawn in Half before Zahhak (painting recto; text verso of folio 26), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Jamshid Sawn in Half before Zahhak (painting recto; text verso of folio 26), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

Rustam Sleeps While Rakhsh Battles a Lion (text recto; painting verso of folio 79), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Rustam Sleeps While Rakhsh Battles a Lion (text recto; painting verso of folio 79), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

Manuscript of the 'Aja'ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) of Qazwini, with 253 paintings

Manuscript of the 'Aja'ib al-makhluqat (Wonders of Creation) of Qazwini, with 253 paintings

Unknown Artist, c. 1650-1700

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper, modern binding

17th centuryIndian

Kanada Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

Kanada Ragini (painting, recto), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series

Unknown Artist, c. 1680

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

17th centuryIndian

Siyavush is Brought before Afrasiyab, as Farangis Pleads for his Life (text recto; painting verso of folio 135), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Siyavush is Brought before Afrasiyab, as Farangis Pleads for his Life (text recto; painting verso of folio 135), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

The Sakhi Advises Radha to be Kind to Krishna, folio from a Rasikapriya series

The Sakhi Advises Radha to be Kind to Krishna, folio from a Rasikapriya series

Unknown Artist, c. 1660-1680

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

17th centuryIndian

Bahram Seizes the Crown of Rivniz on the Point of his Lance (text recto; painting verso of folio 174), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Bahram Seizes the Crown of Rivniz on the Point of his Lance (text recto; painting verso of folio 174), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

Jamshid and the Daughter of Gurang, King of Zabulistan (text recto; painting verso of folio 21), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Jamshid and the Daughter of Gurang, King of Zabulistan (text recto; painting verso of folio 21), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

Rustam Battles Afrasiyab (Catching Him in a Lasso) (text recto; painting verso of folio 74), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Rustam Battles Afrasiyab (Catching Him in a Lasso) (text recto; painting verso of folio 74), Illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Shahnama by Firdawsi

Unknown Artist, 17th-18th century

Ink, colors, and gold on paper

17th-18th centuryIndian

Vibhasa Ragini (painting, recto; text, verso), from a Ragamala (Garland of Melodies) Series | Harvard Art Museums | KenAI