- Title
- An Ascetic Receiving an Offering from a Courtly Woman
- Date Made
- circa 1725-1750
- Medium
- Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
- Dimensions
- 5 5/8 x 4 5/16 in. (14.2875 x 10.9538 cm)
Frame: 19 × 14 in. (48.26 × 35.56 cm)
- Accession Number
- M.72.88.2
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
Hindu ascetics adept in yogic and tantric practices have been performing austerities in South Asia for millennia. Male ascetics (yogis or sadhus) are often members of a Shaiva sect worshipping the god Shiva. Female ascetics (yoginis) are often theologically affiliated with Parvati, Durga, or other Shaiva goddesses. Painted and sculpted images of male and female ascetics were common as both primary and ancillary subjects, including representations of royal supplicants seeking their guidance or blessings (see M.87.20.2). During the 18th century in particular, numerous northern Indian paintings depicted scenes of a princess or courtly woman visiting and venerating ascetics (see M.81.271.10 and AC1997.30.1).
In this painting, an elegantly attired princess wearing profuse pearl jewelry, an enameled wrist cuff, and a floral garland kneels to offer a bowl of floral garlands to a sadhu seated in front of his mountain cave. The sadhu’s esteemed spiritual presence is indicated by his halo. His ascetic nature is conveyed by his three horizontal sectarian markings (tiryakpundra), long dreadlocks, stylized treatment of his ribcage attesting to his austerities, and yogic “lotus posture” (padma asana). His ascetic attributes include his rosary, tiger skin rug, and a water flask and ladle used for holy water in religious rites. Interestingly, the water flask is adorned with flowering plants and may be intended as a ceramic vessel. In the distance, a rainbow heralds the auspicious occasion.
- Selected Bibliography
- Trabold, J. The Art of India, An Historical Profile. Northridge, CA: California State University Press, 1975.
