Handpainted – Pichwai – Shrinathji Against the Red Niche

Provenance

'Shrinathji Against the Red Niche' balances a pale blue border against a deep red niche scattered with white dots. It is a Pichwai in the Nathdwara tradition, with a central figure, a row of cows and a platform below, and the two strong colours give the painting a clear, graphic structure.

The dark-blue deity is crowned with a peacock-feather halo, wearing a yellow skirt in pleated tiers and holding a green cloth in his raised left hand, with a second green cloth at his side. Pink lotuses, a petal garland and pearl strands decorate the figure. White cows with red marks and orange hooves stand on the sky-blue border among tiny yellow dots, and red-orange roundels sit at the lower corners. Below the white platform, a bright orange band with small flowers holds two gold stands and a cushion.

Pale blue, red and yellow carry the painting, with a touch of green in the cloths. The orange band at the base is a distinctive detail, lifting the lower edge and giving the composition a warm foundation. The white dots on the niche echo the pearls on the deity and tie the whole picture together.