Abhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her Lover

Abhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her Lover

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Indian predilection for the categorization of experience is demonstrated here by a Nayika, one of a large group of heroines who epitomize various aspects of the ardors of love. The artist skillfully arranged the shapes of the shawl so that they make a comma-shaped opening in which a portion of the shoulder and the head of the Nayika are revealed. It leads the eye toward her gaze and from there down to her flexed hand, which alone reveals her ardor.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Abhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her LoverAbhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her LoverAbhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her LoverAbhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her LoverAbhisarika Nayika, a Heroine Longing for Her Lover

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.