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Identification and Creation

Object Number
2009.202.120
People
Unknown Artist
Title
Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman in a Boat Drawn by Birds (pounce)
Classification
Drawings
Work Type
drawing
Date
18th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Rajasthan, Kota
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/217650

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink and opaque watercolor on paper; Rajput Style, Kota School
Dimensions
10.4 x 20 cm (4 1/8 x 7 7/8 in.)
Inscriptions and Marks
  • design: verso of secondary sheet, graphite: 17444.380 / SCW.R241 / 123.1983
    (remnants of these inscriptions in conservation file but partially destroyed during mount removal).

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum.

Notes:
Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, The Stuart Cary Welch Collection, Gift of Edith I. Welch in memory of Stuart Cary Welch
Accession Year
2009
Object Number
2009.202.120
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
In this drawing, two birds pull a boat leftward. Standing at the front of the boat is the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. Rama, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, is seated at the center of the boat, cross-legged. He wears a crown topped with a large lotus blossom. He is flanked by his wife, Sita, who is seated on the left, and his brother Lakshmana, who stands on the right. Lakshmana holds a large flywhisk and also wears a crown topped with a lotus. The figures all are part of the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana, or “Story of Rama”. The drawing features small holes. The holes represent a transferring technique known as pounce. Powder, such as graphite or chalk, is passed through the holes onto a clean working surface to give an exact copy of the image that is to be copied. Rajput Style, Kota School.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu