This painted Indian pichwai (pichvai) textile dates to the early 20th century, circa 1900. The exquisite handpainting depicts the gopis, a group of milkmaids from Braj. The gopis were Krishna's devotees & consorts, doting on him with an intense unconditional love and devotion (bhakti). So intense was their love, when they thought of Krishna, they lost their minds and thoughts. 

The gopis are seen here accompanied by their cows and nandis under a golden baradari (open air building). This textile has beautiful detailing with an angel in the sky amongst clouds and gopis carrying musical instruments. They're painted in traditional mineral and stone pigments with gilding on the roof of the baradari and dresses of the gopis. 

Pichwai art is particular to the Rajasthani town of Nathdwara (north of Udaipur) and depicts the various scenes from the life of Shrinathji (Shrinathji is Krishna manifested as a 7 year old child). The making of a pichwai can take several months. 

From India

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