Artwork
A girl worshipping the rising sun (Surya puja)
A girl worshipping the rising sun (Surya puja) is an unspecified painting by the Pahari Painting artist Chokha. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. A girl worshipping the rising sun is a painting depicting a young girl performing a morning ritual.
- Accession no.
- 2018.151
- Credit line
- Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
About this work
Overview
A girl worshipping the rising sun is a painting depicting a young girl performing a morning ritual. The artwork showcases a serene moment of devotion.
Subject & Meaning
The girl, clad in her undergarment, stands on a platform and pours water down the steps, symbolizing her reverence for the sun. The scene conveys a sense of harmony between the natural world and the act of worship.
Technique & Style
The painting features a landscape with hills and a stream, where animals are active. A goose is shown catching a fish, adding to the vivid depiction of nature. The artist's use of color and composition captures the tranquility of the scene.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Chokha, an artist who worked for the Rajput kingdom of Devgarh, a small royal court where daily rituals were deeply connected to the land.
Context
The artwork reflects the devotional practices in India, where prayer can occur in natural settings without the need for a temple or priest.
Artist & collection
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