Hindu texts frequently use romantic imagery to evoke the longing of the individual soul for union with the divine. The Kavipriya (Poems of the Beloved), written in the late sixteenth century, describes possible emotional situations that arise between lovers.
Provenance:
At least 1963-1991
Charles (1903-1997) and Catherine Page (1908-1996), method of acquisition unknown [1]
From 1991
Freer Gallery of Art, gift from Charles and Catherine Page [2]
Notes:
[1] See note by Moti Chandra (1909-1974), Director of the former Prince of Wales Museum, Bombay (now Mumbai), dated May 20, 1963, copy in object file. Moti Chandra’s notes states that the, “The Rasikapriya series in the collection of Mrs. Page could be dated c. 1640 [/] Moti Chandra [/] 20-5-[19]63.”
See also “Receipt of Objects Deposited,” dated December 16, 1991, copy in object file. The object was transferred from Charles and Catherine Page to the Freer Gallery of Art for acquisition consideration on December 16, 1991. Object is described as one of “Six paintings: Pages from, ‘Kavi Pryua of Keshav Das,’ ca. 1640 […].”
Charles (1903-1997) and Mary Catherine ‘Kitty’ Page (née Hall) (1908-1996) were collectors of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian art from San Francisco, CA and Kentfield, Marin County, CA. Both descendants of California pioneering families, Mr. and Mrs. Page were married in 1933. Mr. Page graduated from Yale University in 1924 and returned to California in 1934 where he worked as an insurance broker for twenty-five years. Together the couple were founding members of the Society for Asian Art (established 1958) and aided in the acquisition of the Avery Brundage Collection of Asian Art for the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. Additionally, Mr. Page was a trustee to several other San Francisco museums and the San Francisco Symphony.
[2] See Freer Gallery of Art “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approved on December 20, 1991, copy in object file. Object is described as “Page from Kavi Priya of Keshav Das.” See also signed “Deed of Gift to the Freer Gallery of Art of the Smithsonian Institution,” copy in object file.
Research updated October 19, 2023
Collection:
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History:
South and South East Asian Art (May 9, 1993 to February 7, 2000)
