ERA: Early 20th Century

DIMENSIONS: H 54in. X W 41.25in. X D 1.25in. Framed and matted under Acrylic

MEDIUM: Linen, Pigment

SOURCED: Udaipur, India

“Pichwai are devotional pictures found on cloth or paper which portray Lord Krishna. They originated in the Deccan, India, and the villages of Aurangabad and Nathdwara in Rajasthan state. The purpose of Pichwais, other than artistic appeal, is to narrate tales of Krishna to the illiterate.

The word Pichwai stands for hanging at the back (Sanskrit word “Pichh” means back and “wais” means hanging). Pichwai paintings are big sized paintings done on cotton cloth using natural colors and are hung behind the idol of Lord Shrinath ji to depict his leelas.

[In] Nathdwara, painting refers to a painting tradition and school of artists that emerged in Nathdwara, a town in Rajsamand district in the Western state of Rajasthan in India. Nathdwara paintings are of different sub-styles of which Pichwai paintings are the most popular.

The word Pichwai derives from the Sanskrit words pich meaning back and wais meaning hanging. These paintings are cloth paintings hung behind the image of the Hindu god Shrinathji”

Please Note that all items are in original antique and vintage condition, they have been preserved at their found state and have purposefully not been restored to maintain their own unique and personal history. We believe that each imperfection tells a story. - L'uomo Curioso