Property from the Paul F. Walter Collection
An illustration to the Bhagavata Purana: Rama and Lakshamana attack the palace
Nepal, circa 1775
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; on their mission to recover the earrings of Aditi Krishna and Lakshmana mounted on Garuda fly into battle against the demon Muri outside the castle of Prag-jyoshita. Inside the evil Naraka, with eleven of his sixteen thousand wives, admonishes his three lieutenants as they deliver news of the attack.
Image: 13 x 20 1/4 in. (33 x 51.4); Folio: 14 1/2 x 22 in. (36.8 x 55.8 cm.)
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; on their mission to recover the earrings of Aditi Krishna and Lakshmana mounted on Garuda fly into battle against the demon Muri outside the castle of Prag-jyoshita. Inside the evil Naraka, with eleven of his sixteen thousand wives, admonishes his three lieutenants as they deliver news of the attack.
Image: 13 x 20 1/4 in. (33 x 51.4); Folio: 14 1/2 x 22 in. (36.8 x 55.8 cm.)
Sold for
US$ 27,500
inc. premium
Footnotes
- The Bhagavata Purana details the actions the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, each of whom must protect the world from danger, destroy the evil forces and protect the virtuous. For other leaves in the same series, see Archer and Binney, Rajput Miniatures , 1968, pp. 64-66, no. 49 and P. Pal, Art of Nepal , 1985, no. P35a-b.
The fantastical representation of the the castle is a mix of perspectives that allows for the full narrative to be shown. An almost identical scene formerly in the Jeffrey Paley Collection, was sold at Christie's, London, April 24, 1980, lot 113. Also compare with another sold at Christie's, New York, September 27, 2007, lot 21.
Provenace:
Sotheby's, New York, April 28, 1981, lot 122.
Auction Notices
- Please note that the present lot is being sold exclusive of the temporary exhibition frame. If you wish to purchase the frame please contact the department for details.
Category: Asian Art / Southeast Asian, Indian and Himalayan Art
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