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Theresa McCullough

AN ILLUSTRATION TO THE RAMAYANA: THE RETURN OF RAMA
India, Guler, circa 1780
Opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper
Dimensions:Image: 10 ¾ x 7 ½ in (27.3 x 19 cm)
Folio: 13 1/8 x 9 ¾ in (33.3 x 24.8 cm)
Provenance: Christies, October 3, 1990, Lot 89

Rama with blue skin and wearing a yellow jama is seated in a howdah upon a grey elephant, with Hanuman seated in front of him holding a club and shield. His three brothers, Bharata, Lakshmana and Satrughna, accompany him on foot, one in front and two behind, together with the bearded Raja Vibhisana, brother of Ravana. At the bottom left is the monkey king Sugriva carrying a sword in an orange scabbard, followed by other kings including the king of the bears, Jambavat, in pink dress. Rolling hills with a large procession of warriors can be seen in the background beneath a deep blue cloudy sky. The composition is in a sharp oval with yellow edges.

Cf. the subject with Archer, p.280, fig. 64.

all text, images � Theresa McCullough

 

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