Lot 266
  • 266

THE APPEARANCE OF PARASURAMA: A FOLIO FROM A DISPERSED RAMAYANA SERIES

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • THE APPEARANCE OF PARASURAMA: A FOLIO FROM A DISPERSED RAMAYANA SERIES
  • Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper
  • image: 14 1/2 by 9 in. (35.6 by 22.8 cm)
  • folio: 15 3/4 by 10 1/4 in. (38.1 by 25.4 cm)

Provenance

Sam Fogg Ltd., London
Acquired circa 1999

Condition

Minor surface abrasions and small losses to upper right and lower middle areas of red folio border clearly visible in catalogue illustration. Otherwise very good condition. Verso: Very minor stains with old hinge remnants.Conservation framed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Parasurama the sixth Avatar of Vishnu, appears before King Dasaratha, along with Rama and his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna - carrying his ax and the bow of Vishnu.  He encounters the party of Dasaratha on their journey back to Ayodhya after the wedding of Rama and Sita.  Nimbate (haloed) and bare chested against a black-green ground, carrying his ax and the bow of Vishnu.  He raises his hand in a mudra, challenging Rama to lift the bow.  Rama agrees easily stringing an arrow - thus revealing his true divinity to Parasurama.   A white sky band and blue heavens and a gold sun. 

An extremely fine pothi (horizontally oriented) folio from the reign of Maharana Amar Singh II (1672-1710) of Udaipur, whose nimbate portrait may be discerned here in the guise of the bearded Parasurama.  Text in two lines of black ink Devanagari script in the yellow panel at top.  Red outer borders with black ruled lines.  Other folios from this important dispersed Ramayana from Mewar are in museum and private collections worldwide.

For relatable works, see A. Topsfield, 'Court Painting at Udaipur: Art Under the Patronage of the Maharanas of Mewar', in Artibus Asiae Sup. 44, Zurich, 2001.