'Radha and Krishna in the Rain' Canvas Cloth Print, c.1780

Provenance

Radha and Krishna stand together in the rain, sheltered by a dense grove as dark monsoon clouds gather above them. The rainy season holds particular significance in Indian devotional poetry and painting: it is the time of reunion, longing, and the intensity of feeling that comes with the first rains. The two figures, close but composed, embody that charged atmosphere.

The Bundi school of Rajasthan developed a rich vocabulary for depicting the natural world, particularly the dramatic landscapes of storm, rain, and night. Its characteristic features include lush curling foliage, attentive animal figures, and a palette that deepened with intensity when depicting monsoon scenes.

This painting likely accompanied a text from the tradition of Rajput devotional poetry — the Rasikapriya, the Satsai, or one of the many raga series that mapped emotional states onto scenes of love. The rain is not background; it is the subject.

Disclaimer:

• The frames shown are for display purposes only and are not included with the artwork.
• As these are made-to-order designer pieces, expect minor colour variations from the displayed artwork.