The painting is currently at The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco in California,USA.
Location History:
The painting was created in the year 1760 in Kishangarh and was later brought to The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco in California,USA in 1988.
Nihal Chand was an Indian poet and painter of the 18th century who created some of the most beautiful Rajput paintings. He was the chief painter in the court of Raja Savant Singh. He had a distinctive style of paitning where he depicted the king and Bani Thani as Shri Radha and Shri Krishna. His paintings were attributed to the Kishangarh style of miniature painting,the key features of the paintings were elongated faces,pointed noses,sharp jawlines and almond shaped eyes. His paintings showed refined attires and jewellery. Since he was a follower of Vallabha,his paintings blended love and devotion perfectly
"Raja Savant Singh and Bani Thani as Krishna and Radha" is a beautiful painting by him that shows great devotional and elegant composition. Here Raja Savant Singh is depicted by soft blue skin tone resembling to Shri Krishna and Bani Thani's fair complexion resembles Shri Radha. He has painted their features perfectly which fit the Kishangarh painting characteristics of a long face,sharp nose,half closed lotus or almond shaped eyes and delicate lips. In the backdrop Nihal has painted lush green flowering trees,hills and calm skies. The intricate jewellery and rich garments enhance the painting. Nihal used bright colours and fine brush strokes which show his excellency.
The painting was made when Raja Savant Singh had taken refuge in Vrindavan,the land of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna and Bani Thani had followed him along. The two then spent the rest of their lives devoting to the lotus feet of the divine couple.
The perfect features of Bani Thani became the hallmark of Kishangarh art school and are still amongst the most recognized Indian paintings.
The painting beautifully merges human love with divine devotion by portraying Raja Savant Singh and Bani Thani as Krishna and Radha. Nihal Chand's elegant Kishangarh style, with its elongated faces, almond-shaped eyes, and graceful expressions, creates a dreamlike atmosphere that emphasizes spiritual love rather than worldly romance. The lush landscape, delicate jewelry, and vibrant colors enhance the sense of harmony and devotion. To me, the artwork represents the idea that sincere love can become a path to the divine, blending beauty, faith, and poetry into a timeless expression of Bhakti. It also reflects the cultural richness of the Kishangarh school and its idealized vision of love and spirituality.
