An illustration from a Ramayana series: Rama and Lakshmana in exile in the forest, India, Rajasthan, Bundi, circa 1700

This vibrant illustration is likely to be from the Kishkandha Kanda (the Book of Kishkandha), the fourth book of the Ramayana. Rama and Lakshmana meet the monkey deity, Hanuman, in the kingdom of Kishkandha. Hanuman is a follower of Sugriva, whom Rama helps to regain the throne of Kishkandha by defeating his elder brother Vali. In return, Hanuman and Sugriva agree to help the brothers search for Sita who has been abducted by Ravana, the king of Lanka. Here, Rama and Lakshmana are depicted in a verdant forest, with Hanuman in the foreground. Sita appears seated in a dwelling in the background although she would have been in a palace courtyard in Lanka being guarded by Ravana’s men.

The composition of our painting is very similar to another illustration from Bundi dated to the early eighteenth century which sold in Christie’s New York, 21 March 2008, lot 710.