Plate 39
The Triumph of Radha — Kishangarh, Rajasthan, C. 1770 — C.K. Kanoria Collection, Calcutta
During the eighteenth century, Radha was often regarded as Krishna’s permanent consort and was accorded divine honours—the present picture illustrating her final apotheosis. Seated together, their heads surrounded by haloes, the two lovers display their courtly charms. Krishna has now the mannered luxury of a high-born prince and Radha, no longer the simple cowgirl, is the very embodiment of aristocratic loveliness. As the lovers sit together, their forms offset by a carpet of lotus petals, Krishna attempts to put betel-nut in Radha’s mouth—the gesture subtly indicating their loving intimacy.