indian miniature art aesthetic

all things sensual, sublime, and elegantly refined

[indianartwhimsy]

If I could be taking baths like this, I wouldn't mind the lockdown at all.

[indianartwhimsy]

These are always so fascinating to me, the subject of Lord Krishna dressed up as Radha and she as him! What a delightful expression of the lovers' romance. Playful, cheeky, amorous and sure to carry a divine, metaphysical symbolism ❤️ The below artworks show her wearing his crown 😍

I tried to find out what is the story behind the cross-dressing of the divine lovers, here's what I found so far:

Radha, holding Krishna's flute, has donned her divine lover's peacock-feather crown and saffron-colored dhoti. Blue-complexioned Krishna, in turn, wears Radha's earrings, red skirt, blouse, and transparent shawl. Holding hands, the two gaze into one another's eyes. This unique visual motif of the clothing exchange serves as a metaphor for Radha and Krishna's shared essence. Radha's and Krishna's donning of each other's garments signifies that the two are identical, as is suggested in this verse by an unknown poet. She wears his peacock feather, he dons her lovely, delicate crown; She sports his yellow garment, he wraps himself in her beautiful sari How charming the very sight of it. . . The daughter of Vrsabhanu [Radha] turns [into] Nanda's son [Krishna], and Nanda's son, into Vrsabhanu's girl. (Translation Srivasta Goswami, The Divine Consort, 87) Source: www.harekrsna.de

[indianartwhimsy]

Isn't this just adorable? Feels like me and my bff saying "fuck him, I got you." at the end of a therapeutic hour long fuckboi rant. I can't help but wonder what's up with the black binding on the feet, though?

Source: MFA Boston

Indian, Rajasthani. early 19th century

Object Place: Jaipur, Rajasthan, Northern India

MEDIUM/TECHNIQUE

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

CREDIT LINE: Ross-Coomaraswamy Collection

[indianartwhimsy]

The festival of Holi 😍❤️ #indianart #aesthetics #indianpainting #ancientart

[indianartwhimsy]

two nayikas and a peacock, catching up on gossip? Notice the dainty detailing 😍 #arthistory #ancientart #ancientpainting #indianart #miniaturepainting #artmemes

[indianartwhimsy]

moonlit embrace #arthistory #indianart #aesthetics #ancientart #artmuseum

[indianartwhimsy]

Oh to lounge bejewelled and naked with my handmaidens on the marble floor of an open terrace, moonlight and fragrant breeze, as I await my lover #arthistory #ancientart #miniaturepainting #indianart #arthoe #artappreciation #nayika #royalwomen #princesses #indianaesthetic