AN ILLUSTRATION TO A BHAGAVATA PURANA SERIES: KRISHNA SWINGING VATASURA THE CALF DEMON (WATCHED BY BALARAMA AND FRIENDS)

Stable overall condition. The original painting, in fragmentary condition, was placed on an old backing paper, losses filled in, and the whole then backed with a thin rice paper. Edges of image frayed with losses to extremities, particularly the top, as visible in catalog illustration. A pronounced vertical crease, with infilled backing, running down the center is also clearly visible in catalog illustration. Inscription on verso. This lot is exhibited in a 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 two registers the baby Krishna and Balarama at play with their friends accompanied by cows in the forests of Gokula. Broadly and vigorously painted in greens, red, blue and yellow and black, the painting depicts the defeat of the calf demon Vatsasura after being sent in disguise by King Kamsa to ambush and kill Krishna who handily defeats him to the delight of his friends.

This painting and the following three lots belong to a well-known and highly important pre-Mughal Bhagavata Purana series circa 1520-40 from the Delhi-Agra area in Northern India which depict chapters from Book 10 of the Bhagavata Purana, Divine Tales of the Supreme Lord, illustrating the life and exploits of Krishna in his triumphs of love and battle. Other folios from this widely dispersed series of perhaps 200 extant leaves may be found in some of the great public and private collections of Indian art around the world. They comprise a key to our understanding of the development of Indian painting from its earliest pre-Mughal origins to the arrival of the Mughals in the early years of the Sixteenth Century. A number of the folios from this series are inscribed in ink with one of two names “Sa-Nana” and “Mithiram.” There are a number of theories amongst scholars about the identity of these individuals. It has been hypothesized that they were artists or scribes or possibly even co-owners of the series.

The present folios are exceptionally lively examples inscribed “Sa Nana.”