An Illustration from the Bhagavata Purana: Krishna Slays the Yaksha Sankachuda

The present lot is from a Bhagavata Purana series which is considered to be the earliest known illustrated version of this manuscript. The stylistic and iconographic prototypes established here were to have a profound impact on subsequent Indian painting (Daniel Ehnbom, The Ehrenfeld Collection,  New York, 1985, pp. 24-25). The bold colors, vigorous forms and inventive compositions bestow the narrative with an effectiveness that has an immediate impact (M. C. Beach, The Imperial Image: Paintings from the Mughal Court, Washington D. C.,1981, p. 48). 



The picture plane is divided into horizontal registers and the narrative moves from top to bottom. In the upper register we see the demon Sankhachuda at right harassing a group of goipkas who run to Krishna and his bother Balarama for protection. In the lower register  Krishna is seen attacking the demon with his fists as he mounts on him and finally wrenches off his head. The victorious Krishna then presents Shankhachuda's 'jewel' to Balarama and the overjoyed gopikas.

Leaves from this album were widely dispersed and presently reside in a number of collections. For other illustrations see Stella Kramrisch, Painted Delight: Indian Paintings from Philadelphia Collections, Philadelphia,1986, pp. 5-6; Daniel Enhbom, ibid.; and Pratapaditya Pal, Pleasure Gardens of the Mind, Los Angeles, 1993, pp. 20-21. Also see Sotheby's New York, September 24, 2004, lot 105.