
Mark Rasmussen
International Director
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US$40,000 - US$60,000
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International Director
This delightful painting would have most certainly formed the frontispiece of a large-format Bhagavata Purana or other series. It depicts Ganesha, the merry, brilliant-orange, elephant-headed god being rightfully attended to with plenty of his favorite sweets. He is invoked at the start of any endeavor, not the least at the beginning of an illustrated book.
The 'Remover of Obstacles' is seated casually on a divan set in the midst of a cloud pavilion, relishing the tray presented before him. His consorts see to his comfort with sweets and a flywhisk, while further beautiful maidens attend to the upkeep of his palace. A backup tray of treats lies on the floor beneath him under the watchful eyes of a pair of Ganesha's rat mounts. They patiently await crumbs, and from the looks of their plump forms, there will be plenty to go round once the master has had his fill.
Poster identified a similar frontispiece in Realms of Heroism, Brooklyn, 1994, p.255, no.207. Two further closely related examples were sold at Sotheby's, London, 5 July 1982, lot 56; and Sotheby's, New York, March 23, 2000, lot 222. The latter also features two rats. Additional examples offered at Sotheby's, London, 10 June 1983, lot 60; 20 March 2001, lot 13; and Bonhams, London, 7 October 2010, lot 366.
Provenance
Mandi Royal Collection
German Private Collection, 1969
Rob Dean Art, London, November 2013