A Maiden Composing a Letter, Possibly from a Rasikapriya series
India, ca. 1830
Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper
25 cm high, 19 cm wide (42 cm x 36 cm including frame)
25 cm high, 19 cm wide (42 cm x 36 cm including frame)
A4296
The maiden is seated in a pavilion and rests against a brightly coloured orange and green bolster composing a love letter. She is elaborately dressed with pearls and gold jewellery; her dress and veil are finely painted with details of gold patterns on her white dress. Her attendant is garbed in a green and gold dress and leans in from the window holding a pale yellow fan for the maiden. The miniature is framed with white and yellow alternating flowers on a dark blue border with orange stripes. See a similar Rasikapriya work in Dehejia, Rasikapriya. Ritikavya of Keshavdas in Ateleirs of Love, DK Printworld, 2013, p. 187, pl. 5.14.