Krishna and Radha in a Bower: Page From a Dispersed Gita Govinda 1655 - 1675

Curator: This is a page from a dispersed Gita Govinda series, "Krishna and Radha in a Bower," painted between 1655 and 1675, likely by Sahibdin. It’s a miniature watercolor housed at the Met. Editor: The colours are so vibrant. I love how it feels like a secret glimpse into a very lush and private world. What do you see when you look at this work? Curator: For me, it’s a fascinating look at the social and material conditions of artistic production. We often treat these miniatures as purely spiritual or aesthetic objects, but think about the pigments – where did they come from? Who ground them? And what about the paper itself, its manufacture, and trade routes? This was not just an act of devotion, but also skilled labor. Editor: That's really interesting. I'd never considered the economic side of making art like this. Does the depiction of nature here give you any clues? Curator: Absolutely! Sahibdin was working in a specific historical context – the patronage system of the Rajput courts. This idealized, almost stylized landscape reflects not only a concept of beauty, but perhaps also the wealth and control the patrons had over resources, including skilled artisans and materials sourced from distant lands. Editor: So the beautiful scenery isn't just a backdrop but a symbol of power? Curator: Precisely! Consider, too, the labor involved in creating such detail, each brushstroke carefully applied. The scale itself speaks to a specific kind of elite consumption, something to be carefully possessed and viewed intimately. It’s a world away from the mass production we see today. Editor: Wow, that really reframes how I see it. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Thinking about art this way really highlights the connections between aesthetics, labour and economic systems.