Pichhwai, temple painting, of Radha and Krishna in the Garden, Kishangarh Style, this Hindu scene of the God Krishna and his beautiful consort, the Goddess Radha takes place in a lush garden. The sacred mountain rises up behind them and as the two figures embrace at the opening to a cave.

At the top of the mountain sits a white palace and the sky is filled with 6 bird-shaped celestial chariots toward the it. On the mountain side and in the garden below are many animals including white caparisoned cows. Monkeys, rabbits, deer, and a tiger, inhabit the rocky slopes of the mountain. In the garden below are peacocks, herons and geese. At the very bottom of the composition is a lush lotus pond.

Radha and Krishna dominate the center of the painting and appear larger than life in relation to the trees and the mountain. Their arms entwined, the bejeweled couple gaze into each other's eyes in a scene of love so divine that it transcends the boundaries between heaven and earth. Pichhwai are intricate paintings which portray various aspects of Lord Krishna. They originated in the holy town of Nathdwara in the Rajasthan state of India. It is a very devotional theme towards Lord Krishna. The purpose of Pichhwais, other than its artistic appeal, is to narrate tales of Krishna to the illiterate.

Painted in mineral colors on cotton, overall wear with minor losses. Date: 18th/19th century

87" high x 61" wide