Shakuntala

What you see

Shakuntala stands on the right of the picture, on a forest path. She lifts one foot behind her, holds it with her hand and turns her head over her shoulder toward something outside the scene. Beside her, a smiling companion rests a hand on the shoulder of another, who has her back to us and carries a basket of flowers. On the left, a figure wrapped in a shawl walks away with a staff.

Warm light falls across the path, broken by patches of shade. Behind rise tall trees, blue mountains and a pale sky. Shakuntala's orange sari and her white and red garland stand out among the greens. Notice the red flowers at the lower right and the glint of water among the foliage.