Illustrations from a Manuscript of the Rasikapriya of Kesava Das - Mughal Period Early 17th Century

Keshavdas (1555 – 1617) was a Sanskrit scholar and Hindi poet, best known for his Rasik Priya, a pioneering work of the riti kaal (procedure period) of Hindi literature.

A couple in a room converse by the bed

A man touches a woman's feet while she ignores him as she converses with her female attendant

A woman and a prince sit on a bed, sharing pan. They are surrounded by golden vessels

An enthroned woman talks to her maid

An enthroned woman unscrolls and reads a letter while a female companion stands in attendance, her hands in the gesture of respect (anjali mudra)

Enthrone man with golden crown talking with young lady. They are surrounded by golden vessels

Enthroned man wearing peacock-feathered hat conversing with a female attendant

Enthroned man with a flute in hand listening to a female messenger

The Hero, (Krishna) seated on a throne, conversing with a lady kneeling, the latter peculiarly dressed

In a chamber, a man holding the hand of a lady on a bed

Krishna arrives at a house where the heroine and her confidante (sakhi) are conversing

Krishna sits on a couch wearing a turban with peacock feather, picking up betel from lady's hand

Man holding the sholders of woman who is turning her face away from him and hiding behind her veil. They are sitting on a bed in a chamber

On the terrace a nobleman is putting on a turban held by his female attendant. Another attendant is holding a mirror reflecting the man's image.

Outside a chamber with an empty bed, a man leans down to touch a woman's feet, showing his devotion by removing the dust

Two women walk away from a man who is lying on a bed

Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Source: Museum of Fine Arts Boston (mfa.org)