A deceitful lady
1630
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1630
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The painting shows a woman putting chilli powder in her eyes. She's trying to trick her lover into thinking she's been crying for him. This story comes from a poem called Rasamanjari, which describes different types of lovers. The woman in the painting is called an 'indiscriminate mistress' because her lover is away. But the painting actually shows her lover returning, which adds a twist to the story. The poem and the painting together give us a glimpse into the complexities of love and relationships. You can learn more about this style of painting by looking into the technique of sfumato.
