Dīpaka Rāga, from a Rāgamālā Series

ca. 1960-62, likely purchased in India* by Earnest C. and Jane Werner Watson (Santa Barbara, CA); 1971, deposited on long-term loan to the Elvehjem Art Center [now called Chazen Museum of Art]; December 1982, gifted by Jane Werner Watson (Santa Barbara, CA) to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art].   *General donor file contains correspondence from Mrs. Watson stating that she and Mr. Watson’s collection of Indian art and artifacts was begun and amassed while living in New Delhi between 1960 and 1962; however, specific acquisition information is not documented.

• Elvehjem Art Center. "Indian Miniature Painting: The Collection of Earnest C. Watson & Jane Werner Watson." Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1971. no. 182
• Vajracharya, Gautam V. "Watson Collection of Indian Miniatures at the Elvehjem Museum of Art." Madison: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 2002. no. 95
• Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Two Faces of South Asian Art: Textiles and Paintings." Madison: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 1984. no. 2.53

• Courtship in Indian Miniatures from the Watson Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 11/10/2001–1/6/2002
• Indian Miniatures: Wright Museum of Art, Beloit College, 1/21/1986–2/14/1986
• Art of Storytelling: Art of India from Wisconsin Collections, The: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 10/26/1985–1/19/1986
• Two Faces of South Asian Art: Textiles and Painting: , 2/4/1984–3/18/1984
• Indian Miniature Painting: The Collection of Earnest C. and James Werner Watson: Elvehjem Art Center, 10/29/1971–1/2/1972

This colorful and highly detailed manuscript painting features an evening scene of a couple seated in a courtyard surrounded by attendants.  In the center of the composition, the couple sits on a golden settee with red and gold cushions. One of the figures has blue skin and a green halo, suggesting a Hindu deity, and wears a fancy hat and long yellow garment with an intricate pattern.  The other figure, with light skin tone, wears a long yellow skirt in a matching pattern.  The blue-skinned figure holds a book or manuscript in one hand and the other arm is wrapped around the shoulder of their companion. Behind them, an attendant with light skin tone and a long blue skirt holds a fan made of peacock feathers. In the foreground, two attendants with light skin tone wearing long skirts stand in front of the couple. One attendant holds a red drum adorned with a floral pattern. Near the attendants are four lit candles with yellow flames and grey whisps of smoke. The couple and attendants are highly adorned with traditional attire of colorful garments with various floral patterns and elaborate jewelry of long pearl necklaces, earrings, and armbands. The scene takes place in an outdoor setting within a palace courtyard surrounded by yellow fencing and a white and gold building with a red awning. The night sky and lush green foliage are visible outside of the courtyard. The entire composition is framed by an ornate yellow and green border with gold floral accents and contains text at the top in Devanagari script.

• Asia
• Jane Werner Watson Collection
• Alt Text Accessible
• Miniature Paintings & Manuscripts

The Chazen Museum of Art welcomes comments or inquiries about works in our collection. Please allow two–three weeks for a response. Chazen staff is not able to provide valuations or authentications and such inquiries cannot be answered.