Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) c. 1800
Opaque watercolour including metallic pigments and gold leaf on paper. | 45.0 x 3.0 x 36.0 cm (book measurement (inventory)) | RCIN 1005114
![Master: Gita Govinda ??? ??????? (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda ??? ??????? (Song of the Cowherd): song three verse one Master: Gita Govinda ??? ??????? (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda ??? ??????? (Song of the Cowherd): song three verse one](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/7/2/712077-1505386199.jpg?itok=phD9z1bP)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda ??? ??????? (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda ??? ??????? (Song of the Cowherd): song three verse one c. 1800
Rajput
Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse one Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse one](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/5/3/1049988-1639589592.jpg?itok=RQE2VSis)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse one c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse four Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse four](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/6/f/1049991-1639589603.jpg?itok=nEEgGWg7)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse four c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse four Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse four](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/4/3/1049994-1639589613.jpg?itok=nqmatk11)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse four c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse two Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse two](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/2/b/1049992-1639589606.jpg?itok=N5SbkVZt)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse two c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse three Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse three](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/4/b/1049993-1639589609.jpg?itok=jYn4FLyX)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse three c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse six Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse six](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/e/2/1049995-1639589616.jpg?itok=lzTTeLEz)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse six c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse seven Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse seven](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/2/5/1049996-1639589620.jpg?itok=y_ZemhuL)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse seven c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse eight Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse eight](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/6/a/1049997-1639589623.jpg?itok=r7jkT8Ea)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse eight c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse ten Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse ten](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/7/5/1049999-1639589629.jpg?itok=W5b_sgX9)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse ten c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse four Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse four](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/9/3/1050002-1639589640.jpg?itok=CoQd5_P3)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse four c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse nine Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse nine](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/a/0/1049998-1639589626.jpg?itok=-Cck_OuK)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse nine c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse eleven Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse eleven](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/f/1/1050000-1639589633.jpg?itok=inR2qVEB)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song one verse eleven c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse three Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse three](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/c/9/1049990-1639589600.jpg?itok=QDk0Ml_I)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse three c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse two Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse two](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/d/6/1049989-1639589596.jpg?itok=VZSORmZe)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): introduction verse two c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse two Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse two](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/c/1/1050001-1639589637.jpg?itok=Zn9SF7re)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse two c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse six Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse six](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/8/c/1050004-1639589647.jpg?itok=9ZnPxhkZ)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse six c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse ten Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse ten](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/a/2/1050005-1639589650.jpg?itok=YJzxwrxU)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse ten c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse five Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse five](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/2/1/1050003-1639589643.jpg?itok=UCxeu1IC)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song two verse five c. 1800
![Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song three verse two Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd)
Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song three verse two](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/b/0/1050006-1639589653.jpg?itok=q7nAmmw1)
Rajput
Master: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd) Item: Gita Govinda गीत गोविन्द (Song of the Cowherd): song three verse two c. 1800
![](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/7/2/712077-1505386199.jpg?itok=phD9z1bP)
![](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/5/3/1049988-1639589592.jpg?itok=RQE2VSis)
![](https://col.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/6/f/1049991-1639589603.jpg?itok=nEEgGWg7)
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A series of paintings from Rajasthan reproducing verses from the 12th century Sanskrit devotional poem, Gita Govinda (‘Song of the Cowherd’) by Jayadeva.
Jayadeva’s protagonists are the Hindu god Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, and his lover, the mortal cowherdess (gopi) Radha. This is thought to be the first literary references to Radha in any Hindu text. Their recurrent separations and blissful reunions are metaphors for the separation of the soul and the Divine and their ultimate ecstasy in union.
The Gita Govinda is a lyric poem composed as a cycle of 24 songs, each consisting of eight verses. The Royal Collection’s group of paintings illustrates 24 verses from the beginning of the poem up to the middle of the third song. They comprise the first part of what would originally have been a series of nearly 200 loose folios. The opening verses introduce the poem and the poet; the first song introduces the ten avatars of Vishnu (see also RCINs 1005113 and 1005114) and the Radha and Krishna narrative begins in the second song.
Stylistically, the series can be connected to artists of Amber, the old state capital of Jaipur in Rajasthan. The paintings are characterised by their bright palette, particularly strong reds and Indian yellow. The division of space into two or more planes is defines different times and places within a single frame.
The artists depict patron figures as active participants within the paintings which appear to be portraits of earlier Kachhwala rulers of Amber and Jaipur. The series is likely to have been commissioned by Maharajah Pratap Singh (r. 1778–1803), himself a poet and many of whose own writings elaborated on the Radha–Krisha theme.
The paintings were bound into a red morocco album in the late 19th century, inscribed: 'Exploits of seven and eight incarnations of Hindoo god Vishnu / viz / Ram & Krishna'. This was one of three albums presented to Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, on 27th November 1875 in Bombay (Mumbai) when he attended the wedding celebrations for the son of Sir Mangaldas Nathubhoy (1832-1890), a local businessman and social reformer. The other albums are RCINs 1005113 and 1005115.Provenance
Presented to King Edward VII when Prince of Wales during his tour of India in 1875 by Mangaldas Nathubhoy.
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Creator(s)
(artist)(poet)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Opaque watercolour including metallic pigments and gold leaf on paper.
Measurements
45.0 x 3.0 x 36.0 cm (book measurement (inventory))
Place of Production
Jaipur [Rajasthan]