RAMA AND LAKSHMANA DEPART AYODHYA: A FOLIO FROM A RAMAYANA SERIES

Acquired mid-1990's

Good and stable overall condition. Abrasions to pigment and flaking in upper left quadrant of image, clearly visible in catalogue illustration. Two small spots of flaking to white pigment in architectural passages on upper right quadrant. Conservation framed.
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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.

Rama accompanied by Lakshmana in discussion with kings and nobles in the white marble palace complex of Ayodhya, then shown leaving in a horse-drawn chariot. Peacocks stride between the compartmentalized elements of the scene.  In simultaneous action the zig-zagging composition of architecture and green lawn visually interconnect the scenes with the narrative. Blue-black gold foliate design borders with mauve-pink margins.

This and the following lot are from the period of  Garwhal that has been described by W. G. Archer as "Phase Three" circa 1815-1875.  Numerous series were apparently painted there including at least one sizable Ramayana series from which our paintings originate.  Among the artists at work there were Jwala Ram (son of Mola Ram - from the previous generation at Garwhal) and Chaitu whose name is known via an inscribed Ramayana illustration in the Bharat Kala Bhavan, Benaras, found in W.G. Archer, Indian Painting from the Punjab Hills, London, 1973, vol. I, p. 120-1 and vol. II, p. 90, cat. 35.

Our paintings are consistent with attributed works by Chaitu in color palette, spare compositions with smoothly curving horizon lines and schematic cloud shapes with distinctive facial types and polished surfaces.

For similar work, see Sotheby's London, 17 June 1999, lot 54, and P. D. Colnaghi, London, 1978, p. 108, cat. 88.