The Lovers’ Pledge: a prince and a lady in a palace bedroom

Kangra, Punjab Hills, circa 1800 A.D.

Drawing in brush and colour wash heightened in white on paper, a single line of Nagari on the reverse

30.5 by 21.2 cm.

Exhibited

Indian Miniatures, Peter Gould Gallery, Los Angeles, 16 February – 17 March 1990

Provenance

Acquired, Indian Miniatures, Peter Gould Gallery, Los Angeles, 1990
Private collection, California, 1990-2011

This unfinished painting shows all the hallmarks of the classic Kangra style in clothing, architecture and facial features. The inscription contains the lover's eulogising words to his beloved taken from one of the classic Hindi poetical texts such as the Rasikapirya or Kavipriya. The intensity of the gaze between the two lovers is palpable illustrating a moment of great anticipation.