Page 124 - Indian and Himalayan Art, March 15, 2017 Sotheby's NYC
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PROPERTY FROM THE LANIER COLLECTION This and the following lot are from the period of Garwhal that
has been described by W. G. Archer as “Phase Three” circa
RAMA AND LAKSHMANA DEPART 1815-1875. Numerous series were apparently painted there
AYODHYA: A FOLIO FROM A RAMAYANA including at least one sizable Ramayana series from which
SERIES our paintings originate. Among the artists at work there were
India, Pahari, Garwhal, circa 1820-30 Jwala Ram (son of Mola Ram - from the previous generation
at Garwhal) and Chaitu whose name is known via an inscribed
Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper Ramayana illustration in the Bharat Kala Bhavan, Benaras,
image: 12 by 17¼ in. (30.5 by 43.2 cm) found in W.G. Archer, Indian Painting from the Punjab Hills,
folio: 13½ by 18¾ in. (33 by 45.7 cm) London, 1973, vol. I, p. 120-1 and vol. II, p. 90, cat. 35.
PROVENANCE Our paintings are consistent with attributed works by Chaitu
in color palette, spare compositions with smoothly curving
Acquired mid-1990’s horizon lines and schematic cloud shapes with distinctive facial
types and polished surfaces.
Rama accompanied by Lakshmana in discussion with kings
and nobles in the white marble palace complex of Ayodhya, For similar work, see Sotheby’s London, 17 June 1999, lot 54,
then shown leaving in a horse-drawn chariot. Peacocks and P. D. Colnaghi, London, 1978, p. 108, cat. 88.
stride between the compartmentalized elements of the
scene. In simultaneous action the zig-zagging composition of $ 8,000-12,000
architecture and green lawn visually interconnect the scenes
with the narrative. Blue-black gold foliate design borders with
mauve-pink margins.
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