I purchased this one at Brimfield from a dealer of very fine things (a few of which I've brought home over the years, a 19th century flip up brass pocket/pendant sun dial one of my favorites ever.) He had recently acquired a dozen or so Indian miniatures/manuscript paintings from one collection, many of them erotic and all of them wonderful; this the one that called to me. (What richer, time- and culture-spanning art historical subject than a bathing nude?!)
This particular scene is a popular one in Indian miniature painting, this one painted in close keeping with a depiction of the same scene in the Tehri-Garhwal Satsai of Bihari, a series of 18th-century Pahari miniature paintings illustrating the poet Bihari's famous early 17th century 700+ rhyming couple masterpiece. At center here is Radha, the central Hindu goddess and chief consort of the god Krishna, nude but for her jewelry, wringing her wet hair, and attended by her female confidant (sakhi), while Krishna playfully spies on her from near left. I especially love the second attendant in blue, holding the towel before her like a veil. All beautifully executed in rich watercolor/gouache with gold details.
9" x 6 3/4" in a more recent frame (professionally done in 1977), as found. 19th century I believe. There is a small tear visible to the paper above Rhada's head - I only noticed photographing it with magnification, very minor. Overall very very good condition.
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