• Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
Mar 27, 2014
Mar 27, 2014

The royal priest Shatananda confirms that the four princesses of Mithila should marry the sons of King Dasharatha, from Chapter 70 of the Bala Kanda (Book of Childhood), folio 13 from a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

The royal priest Shatananda confirms that the four princesses of Mithila should marry the sons of King Dasharatha, from Chapter 70 of the Bala Kanda (Book of Childhood), folio 13 from a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

c. 1690–1720

This object has related works. See Ravana’s sister Shurpanakha complains that Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears, from Chapter 31 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey); King Dasharatha sends his chief minister Sumantra to summon Rama, from Chapter 16 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya), folio 18 of a “Shangri” Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

Northern India, Pahari Region, Himachal Pradesh, possibly Rajput Kingdom of Chamba, court of Udai Singh

(reigned 1690–1720)

Gum tempera and ink on paper

Painting: 18.5 x 28.7 cm (7 5/16 x 11 5/16 in.); Overall: 20 x 30.4 cm (7 7/8 x 11 15/16 in.)

Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund 2002.6

Location

not on view

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Did you know?

This painting remains slightly unfinished, without the final touches of gold.

Description

In front of their hut, a priest and his wife announce to the four princesses of Mithila that they are to marry the princes of Ayodhya. Sita, who will become the wife of the hero Rama, is probably the figure wearing the white flowered garment, since she stands out the most against the saturated ochre background. Had the painting been finished, gold would have been applied to the jewelry and other accouterments.

Lacking in spatial depth and ground plane, the scene is set and dramatized by means of bold color, overlapping textures, expressive gestures, and intense gazes.

See also
Collection: 
Indian Art
Department: 
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Type of artwork: 
Painting
Medium: 
Gum tempera and ink on paper
Credit line: 
Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund

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