An illustration to a Bhagavata Purana series: Brahma on Hamsa discoursing with Narada and two kings, attributed to Manaku of Guler, India, Guler, circa 1740

This illustration belongs to a series known as the ‘small’ Bhagavata Purana, attributed to Manaku and his workshop by Goswamy and Fischer (1992, pp.244-5). This series would have been one of Manaku’s largest commissions, and it is estimated that the paintings and drawings would have reached at least several hundred. The commission was not completed, and books V-IX are represented in drawings (Goswamy 2017, pp. 451-499, see, for example, 2 drawings sold at Christie’s, New York, 27 September 2017, lot 220).

Although the present leaf has been trimmed, the dimensions of the painting correspond with the series (which average 18 by 28cm.), as does the leaf itself (23 by 32cm. untrimmed) (Goswamy 2017, p. 393). The composition of this illustration also follows numerous examples published by Goswamy, comprising a simple background with an arched doorway to one side decorated with a shaded pink arcade (ibid., p.429, no.B108). This restricted ground lends weight to the central figures, whose jewel-like robes stand out against the golden-yellow ground.

Like several of the illustrations to the series, the text on the reverse has been obscured by a plain sheet of paper most likely covering the Sanskrit inscription identifying the text (ibid. p.190, 212). The younger of the kings resembles another painting from the series depicting King Pracinabarhi, descendant of King Prithu (ibid., p.216, no.C80), and the older king is most likely his father Havirdhana.

For an extensive study of the series from which this illustration comes and a comprehensive list of other known paintings and drawings, see Goswamy 2017, pp.146-263, and 393-499. See also, Goswamy and Fisher 1992, p.44-25 and Beach, Fisher and Goswamy 2011, p.643.