Page from a Ragamala Series: Bhairava Raga (Primary Title)
Unidentified (Artist)
Each of a ragamala’s family groupings begins with a depiction of its leader, usually shown together with a female companion. Bhairava Raga is portrayed either as the Hindu god Shiva or, like here, as a noble seated with his beloved, who anoints his arm or chest. Joined by an attendant bearing a fly whisk—indicative of his high status—the pair meets in a garden near a palatial structure. The painting’s intense palette, flattened understanding of space, and sinuously described figures are indicative of its production in western Rajasthan in the early 17th century.
Inscribed in graphite at lower right corner on verso: "69.005".
Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Endowment
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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