Āśavarī Rāginī

ca. 1960-62, likely purchased in India* by Earnest C. and Jane Werner Watson (Santa Barbara, CA); 1970, deposited on long-term loan to the Elvehjem Art Center [now called Chazen Museum of Art]; 2005, bequeathed 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.

• Vajracharya, Gautam V. "Tradition and Change in Rajput Painting from the Watson Collection." Elvehjem Museum of Art Bulletin/Annual Report 1991-1993. Elvehjem Museum of Art (1993). p. 45, no. 3
• Elvehjem Art Center. "Indian Miniature Painting: The Collection of Earnest C. Watson & Jane Werner Watson." Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1971. no. 189
• Vajracharya, Gautam V. "Watson Collection of Indian Miniatures at the Elvehjem Museum of Art." Madison: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 2002. no. 89

• Visions of India: The Jane Werner Watson Collection: Chazen Museum of Art, 4/23/2005–7/9/2005
• 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
• Indian Miniature Painting: The Collection of Earnest C. and James Werner Watson: Elvehjem Art Center, 10/29/1971–1/2/1972

In the foreground of this manuscript painting, a bearded figure, wearing colorful patchwork-patterned clothing and a white turban, sits on the ground and plays a pungi (pipe instrument) as four snakes slither toward the figure. The snakes raise their bodies and face the figure. To the figure’s right, another figure is seated on a pink-colored mound. This figure, wearing a transparent yellow veil and a skirt adorned with a peacock feather pattern, holds a white-headed snake. The figures sit upon a steep green hill with tall trees lining both the right and left side of the painting. Multiple snakes are coiled around the trunks of each tree, and the lush, ornamental foliage is highly detailed. On the top of the hill is a white temple-like structure with one arched window and a domed top. At the base of the hill is a line of pink lotus flowers. A yellow box above the scene contains black and red 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.