Handpainted – Pichwai – Shrinathji with Four Gopis in Black and Gold

Provenance

'Shrinathji with Four Gopis in Black and Gold' is a horizontal Pichwai painting in which the deity stands on a lotus at the centre of a golden grove, attended by four women. The black ground and the gold-toned palette give it a lamp-lit richness, and the composition follows the Nathdwara tradition of showing Shrinathji with companions in a garden.

Shrinathji stands on a pink lotus pedestal with a dark-blue face, a crown and a gold and green halo, his figure covered in pearl strands and framed by a long garland of pink and white lotus petals. Two women stand on each side in flowing golden skirts with pearl jewellery and bangles; the outer pair raise tall golden whisks, and one of the inner pair lifts a peacock-feather fan above the deity. Trees with golden leaves and pink buds rise behind them on both sides, with dense clusters of gold dots spreading behind the central figure.

Black, gold and pink dominate, with the deep blue of the face as the single cool accent. Small gold flowers are scattered evenly across the black ground, and a border of gold rosettes on black encloses the scene. The result is dramatic and ornamental, ideal for a long wall above a sofa, bed or console.