Artwork
Bahuli Ragini
Bahuli Ragini is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work is an opaque watercolor executed on paper, portraying a domestic interior drawn from the musical mode known as Bahuli Ragini. Central to the composition is a seated woman on a couch, attended by a maid who waves a facecloth, while another female figure approaches, suggesting a moment of private conversation.
Subject & Meaning
The scene brings together three women dressed in vivid, patterned garments, positioned beneath a leafy canopy. The standing figure raises a hand, perhaps in greeting, while the two seated figures rest on a red cushion, each holding small objects that hint at personal adornment or ritual. A crane on the ground adds a natural element, reinforcing a tranquil yet active atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Rendered in opaque watercolour, the artist achieves a luminous surface that captures the richness of the textiles and the subtle gradations of the sky, rendered in pink tones. The intricate patterns on the clothing are delineated with fine brushwork, while the foliage and background are suggested with broader washes, creating depth without sacrificing detail.
Context
The painting references the Bahuli Ragini musical tradition, indicating a cultural link between visual and performing arts. The presence of non‑Latin script at the top of the work points to a regional origin, and the inclusion of domestic and natural motifs aligns with broader South Asian artistic conventions of the period.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
