Rama's Brother Pulling a Thorn from His Foot, c. 1700-1710
Series/Book Title: Illustration from the Ramayana
Album Folio
Indian
, 18th century
Creation Place:
Pahari, Northern India, India
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
17.5 x 26 cm (6 7/8 x 10 1/4 in.)
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Richard Norton Memorial Fund
, 2011.97
Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art
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Description
This is an unusual scene in Pahari painting of the Ramayana. The illustration depicts a tender moment in which the blue-skinned Rama, supported by two warriors, has a thorn removed from his foot by his brother. The theatrical gestures of the figures and the body pose of the main protagonist may suggest link to Christo-European scenes.
Provenance
Philip Hofer [mid 20th century]. Stuart Cary Welch, Jr. Collection, New Hampsire (by 1969-2011), sold; [Sotheby’s, London, 5/31/2011, lot 54]; to Harvard Art Museums, 2011.
Notes:
This painting came to Harvard Art Museums on 1 April 1969 as temporary loan TL17444.214, and in 1983 was designated as long term loan, 440.1983.
Notes:
This painting came to Harvard Art Museums on 1 April 1969 as temporary loan TL17444.214, and in 1983 was designated as long term loan, 440.1983.
Bibliography
Mark Zebrowski and Stuart Cary Welch, A Flower from Every Meadow: Indian Paintings from American Collections, exh. cat., New York Graphic SocietyNew York Graphic Society (New York, NY, 1973), Page 70/Figure 37
Exhibition History
Hot as Curry - Subtle as Moonlight: Masterpieces of Rajput Painting, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/02/1991 - 12/20/1991
Out of the Hills: Miniature Painting from Himalayan India, Harvard University Art Museums, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 05/26/1984 - 07/08/1984
Recent Acquisitions, Part II: Building the Collection, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 06/19/2012 - 09/29/2012