Illustration to the Mahabharata: Arjuna approached by villagers; opaque watercolor and gold on paper Kangra circa 1830
Lot 1188¤
An illustration to the Mahabharata: Pandava warrior Arjuna Kangra, circa 1830
Sold for US$ 52,500 inc. premium
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An illustration to the Mahabharata: Pandava warrior Arjuna
Kangra, circa 1830
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Arjuna at his retreat, wearing gold armor, with his sword, arrows, and shield laid before him, is surrounded by a circle of colorfully dressed maidens, some playing musical instruments, together with many male musicians; a small river, elephant, birds, and animals appear in the foreground.
Image: 13 1/4 by 18 1/2 in. (33.7 by 47 cm.) folio: 15 1/2 by 20 1/2 in

Footnotes

  • The episode possibly belongs to the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata where Arjuna embraces asceticism for a year to atone for erroneously entering the private chambers of Draupadi, the common wife of the five Pandava brothers, while she was with his eldest brother Yudhisthir.

    Another page from this series formerly in the Royal Mandi Collection sold at Sotheby's, New York, March 19, 2008, lot 217.

    Provenance:
    Mandi Royal Collection
    Private German Collection, 1969
    Sotheby, Parke Bernet, February 27, 1973, lot 75
    Private Connecticut Collection
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