Five illustrations to Hindu epics, Western India, Maharashtra, Paithan, mid-19th century

Ex-collection George McFadden, New York.

These illustrations belong to a group of paintings that are characterised by their use of monumental figures and a bold palette of primary colours outlined in black. The subject matter is often from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as local myths. It is probable that these paintings were used by storytellers (chitrakathis) who settled in Maharashtra, northern Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Although known as 'Paithan' these works relate more closely to the South Indian painting idiom, having parallels with the painted textile and leather-puppet traditions of Karnataka and Andhra. They were initially categorised as 'Paithan' when a group of paintings were found during the 1960s at the town of Paithan in Maharasthtra. Other 'Paithan' paintings include works in the British Museum (Dallapiccola 2010, pp.278-295). Two paintings, formerly in the Stuart Cary Welch collection, sold in these rooms, 31 May 2011, lot 162.