- 87
An Illustration to the Bhagavata Purana: Krishna steals the Parijata Tree
Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 USD
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Description
- An Illustration to the Bhagavata Purana: Krishna steals the Parijata Tree
- Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper
- image 14 5/8 by 21 1/4 in. (37.2 by 54 cm.)
- folio 15 5/8 by 22 3/8 in. (39.7 by 56.9 cm.) unframed
The illustration depicts the story relating the confrontation between Indra, king of the heavens, and Krishna, over the fragrant Parijata tree that grew in Indra's garden.
Condition
Very good overall condition. Tiny pinholes at center of image have been masked with the backing paper. Inscription in Devanagari on verso. Exhibited in temporary frame.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
According to myth, Krishna and his consort Satyabhama traveled to the realm of Indra to return the earrings of Aditi, mother to the Gods, pictured at the center of the painting. There, Satyabhama, enraptured by the beauty of the Parijata tree entreated Krishna to take it for her. At first Krishna asked the bard Narada to convince Indra to give him the tree. When Indra refused, Krishna sent Satyaki (Arjuna), Pradyumna and Garuda to forcibly take the tree, as seen on the right. Upon hearing of this Indra immediately dispatched an army headed by his son Jayanta, depicted on the left, to confront the interlopers.
The large format of the painting, the boldly defined figures and the identification of the main protagonists by inscription in the image is typical of the work of Purkhu, an artist in the court of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra. Purkhu is known to have produced a set of paintings of the Bhagavata Purana between 1800 and 1815, which W. G. Archer describes as being amongst the 'greatest heights' of Kangra painting. In Archer's words, Purkhu's style manifests itself in a 'luminous clarity' and a 'natural use of rhythm' as apparent in the present work.
See Sotheby's New York, September 24, 2004, lot 114, for another illustration from this series.