Pichhwai painting of Lord Krishna dancing in the Vrindavan Gardens with adoring gopis , Indian painting on linen, Nathdwara school [India (Nathdwara, Rajasthan), probably mid-nineteenth century] Single large sheet, gouache on linen heightened with gold, main image within painted floral border, some chips to pigment along old folds and creases, lightly scuffed in places, some early repairs to right-hand margins, some staining to upper right-hand corner and border rather faded along right-hand edge, a few small holes and tears along outer border where the item was used as wall hanging (not affecting main painting), reverse blank, 880 by 880mm. The composition of this painting focuses on the central figure of Lord Krishna between two symmetrical groups of gopis playing music and dancing. The female gopis are all wearing translucent gold-rimmed veils over brightly coloured brocade gowns and are adorned with pearls and jewels. The lake in the foreground is full of fish and turtles, with toads, storks and lotus flowers along the banks. On the lower left-hand side stands Kamadhenu, the Hindu bovine-goddess mother of cows, and the only character in this busy scene that faces the viewer. There are over thirty peacocks and other bird varieties in the flower-adorned grounds around Krishna, with monkeys and parrots visible in the banana and fruit trees forming the backdrop. The stormy skies above include deities in peacock-shaped vessels flying through rainy skies alongside flocks of elegant white birds. Pichhwai paintings originated in the holy town of Nathdwara, Rajasthan, and typically illustrate scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. They were traditionally painted on cloth and used as wall hangings for royal households.