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An illustration from a baramasa series: month of Asoja An illustration from a devi mahatmya series: Shumbha receives the
Mandi, school of Sajnu, circa 1820 report from Sugriva
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; as large clouds loom above, the Guler, circa 1810-20
village in the background prepares for the festival surrounding the worship Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; the two messengers pay homage
of the goddess Lakshmi, the nayaka reassuring the nayika as he prepares and deliver the news of his rejection, Shumbha expresses anger in
to depart while she pleads for him to remain during the rainy months, response, while attendants timidly look on.
Gurmukhi text in upper margin defining the text as Asuj (Asoja/Ashvina). Image: 8 1/4 x 12 in. (20.7 x 30.3 cm)
Image: 7 7/8 x 5 1/4 in. (20 x 13.4 cm); Folio: 11 3/8 x 8 1/2 in. (28.8 x $6,000 - 8,000
21.7 cm)
$20,000 - 30,000 Shumbha had heard reports of the Devi’s overwhelming beauty and
decided to send an emissary, Sugriva to court her. The present work
This painting was probably done by a follower of Sajnu on account of the shows Sugriva, the yellow demon, informing King Shumbha that the
long sharp eye and flattened profile. For an in-depth discussion of the beautiful Devi had rejected his advances. Angry Shumbha commands his
artist and his works, see, Archer, Paintings from the Punjab Hills, vol I, p. army to abduct the goddess.
273-81 and Ehnbom, Indian Miniatures, 1985, no. 123, p. 246.
For another painting depicting this moment of the Devi Mahatmya, see
Pal, Court Paintings of India, 1983, no. P26, p. 300. Also compare with
a larger folio from a later version of the Ramayana from Guler in the Los
Angeles County Museum of Art (M.73.79).
Provenance:
Christie’s, South Kensington, 8 October 2010, lot 453
Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art | 119
