Abhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her Lover
Unknown Artist
ca. 1790–1800
Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions
6 x 3 3/4 in. (15.2 x 9.5 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture
India (Punjab Hills, Kangra)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1918
Accession Number
18.134.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the enchanting world of Kangra painting from India's Punjab Hills, *Abhisarika Nay, a Heroine Longing for Her Lover* (ca. 1790–1800) captures a moment of romantic yearning. This unknown artist's masterpiece depicts the *abhisarika nayika*—a heroine from classical Sanskrit literature who ventures out at night, defying convention to unite with her beloved. Rendered on a diminutive 6 x 3¾ inch sheet of paper, the work embodies the intimate, lyrical style of Pahari miniatures, where delicate female figures express deep emotion amid lush, stylized landscapes. Created during the late 18th centur...