An illustration from a Ramayana series: Parsurama with Rama and Sita, attributable to Purkhu and his family workshop, North India, Kangra, circa 1800-20
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
gouache heightened with gold on paper, with minute identifying inscriptions in white and red devanagari script, narrow blue border with gold and silver floral scroll, red rule, trimmed pink speckled margin, the reverse inscribed with 'Val 67' in black devanagari to upper centre, later inventory numbers in black ink, typed label adhered to lower centre
painting 24.1 by 34.7cm.; with border 26.6 by 37.3cm.
This illustration belongs to the first book of the Ramayana, the Bala Kanda. The Brahmin, Parasurama, who was also the sixth avatar of Vishnu, is depicting confronting Lord Rama at the swayamvara organised for Sita. Parasurama arrives after hearing the booming sound caused by Rama lifting Lord Shiva’s divine bow at the swayamvara and subsequently breaking the bow. Sita is depicted asking Parasurama to forgive Rama. Parasurama soon becomes aware of Rama’s divine nature (the latter being the seventh avatar of Vishnu) and retreats to the Himalayas. Deities in the heavens above shower the figures with flowers.
For a brief discussion on the master artist Purkhu and his family workshop, see lot 190. For three other paintings from the same series in the present sale, see lots 190, 191, and 194.
You May Also Like
