Ladies bathing in a garden

Geographically Guler is south of the Kangra river and thus had more contact with the Mughal court than the more remote valley areas. The school started in the late 17th century and combined delicate Mughal drawing with Pahari lyricism. The paintings reflected the relaxed atmosphere of the benign climate. The most important period was when the ruler Goverdhan Chand was an active patron from 1740-80.

This painting was made after the Mughal artist Nainsukh left Delhi and settled in Guler so it shows Mughal influence. It is a quiet, sensitive scene, presumably inside the court zanana. Many paintings of this period from Guler are naturalistic with light, sensitive drawing. The girls’ faces are typical of the Pahari style that developed after Mughal influence. They sit chatting beside the pool or playing in it amongst water lilies or “lotus” flowers and the lush vegetation typical of Pahari paintings is shown over the zanana wall.

Description taken from the ‘Art From The Indian Sub-Continent In The Sainsbury Centre’ catalogue by Margaret A. Willey (Sainsbury Centre, UEA, 1995).