2-738-912 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Radha’s Confidante Brings Her to Krishna, c. 1790-1800. During the late 1700s, Indian artists began to experiment with the use of perspective and receding picture planes--a British influence. At Jaipur in particular, artists worked in modes that accorded with British tastes, because many workshops there functioned as a marketplace, where paintings were made for sale instead of for a private royal collection. This painting, however, was probably made for the royal collection, but the widespread use of perspective infused court painting at Jaipur as well. The Hindi poem in the top and bottom borders sets the scene. At the end it reads: On seeing the moon hide behind the clouds, Her confidante lifts the veil from her face and says, "Smile as you walk, for your smile lights up the world."