Designation: A group of women visiting the sage Rishyashringa Date: approx. 1800 Medium: Opaque watercolors on paper Place of Origin: India Himachal Pradesh state former kingdom of Kangra Credit Line: Gift of George Hopper Fitch Label: Scenes such as this one, depicting a group of women at an ascetic’ s retreat, are common in Indian paintings and reflect a custom wherein holy men and holy sites were visited in order to secure children, good health, prosperity, and other manifestations of good fortune. The ascetic depicted in this particular painting may be Rishyashringa, a well-known figure from Indian literature. Rishyashringa, whose name means “ having deer antlers,” is often depicted with a hornlike growth on his head. There seems to be a similar protuberance just above the forehead of the ascetic seated here in front of his hut. Texts such as the Mahabharata (Great Chronicle of the Bharata Dynasty) tell the story of Rishyashringa’ s seduction by a group of women who lured him away from his forest dwelling. The women had been sent by a king who believed that Rishyashringa’ s presence in his kingdom would bring rain to his drought-stricken land. Here, the women approach Rishyashringa with food offerings placed on leaves. On display: no Collection: PAINTING Dimensions: H. 9 1/4 in x W. 6 7/8 in, H. 23 cm x W. 17.3 cm Department: SA