Artwork
Woman Longing for Her Lover: Verati Ragini of Dipak, from a Ragamala
Woman Longing for Her Lover: Verati Ragini of Dipak, from a Ragamala is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a domestic interior where a seated woman and a standing man share a balcony overlooking a courtyard.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a domestic interior where a seated woman and a standing man share a balcony overlooking a courtyard. The man holds a fan, while the woman looks downward, suggesting a moment of quiet anticipation. Behind them a white structure with red-tiled roofs frames a tree and a small shrine, and the composition is bordered by a decorative band of red blossoms and gold motifs.
Subject & Meaning
The title, referencing a woman’s longing for her lover, frames the scene as an expression of desire and separation. The woman’s downcast gaze and the distance between the figures convey a sense of waiting, while the presence of the fan and the ornamental setting hint at courtly or aristocratic contexts common in narrative paintings of love and longing.
Technique & Style
Rendered in vivid pigments, the painting employs a bright palette dominated by reds, blues, and whites. The decorative border, filled with intricate floral and gold patterns, reflects a stylized approach that merges narrative with ornamental design. Linear outlines define the figures and architectural elements, while flat areas of color emphasize the scene’s emotional tone over realistic depth.
History & Provenance
The piece is catalogued under the title "Woman Longing for Her Lover: Verati Ragini of Dipak, from a Ragamala," indicating its origin in a series of ragamala illustrations that translate musical modes into visual narratives. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed alongside other works that explore similar thematic and decorative motifs.
Artist & collection
