An illustration to the life of Shiva: Shiva in a grove conversing with Sarasvati Mewar, circa 1625-50


gouache and gold on paper, yellow and red borders, trimmed 266 x 213 mm.
|Sarasvati is depicted here in her personified form as a young maiden holding a veena, riding her hamsa mount. It is rare to see Shiva and Sarasvati depicted together as he is more often depicted with Parvati, his consort. The mid-17th century saw increased naturalism in Mewari painting due to increased contact with the Mughal court. Treatment of the figures and the foliage in this illustration, as well as the lively composition, can be compared with the work of Sahibdin, in particular a number of works illustrated in A. Topsfield, Court Painting at Udaipur, 2001, p.64, figs. 33-37. Sahibdin was the master painter at the Mewar court, trained at the Mughal court, who had a great influence on the development of the Mewari style of painting.