AN ILLUSTRATION TO A BHAGAVATA PURANA SERIES: MATSYA DEFEATING SHANKHASURA

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

AN ILLUSTRATION TO A BHAGAVATA PURANA SERIES: MATSYA DEFEATING SHANKHASURA
Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper
image: 6 1/8 by 4 1/4 in. (15.6 by 10.8 cm);
folio: 9 3/4 by 7 1/4 in. (24.8 by 18.4 cm) unframed

Provenance

Acquired from Christie's between 1978-1980

Catalogue Note

Matsya the first Avatar of Vishnu depicted emerging from the mouth of a giant fish brandishing attributes and weapons: a shankha (conch shell), lotus, mace and chakra (discus). He slays the demon Shankasura protecting Manu the first man from the deluge. Manu and a Brahmin sage offer great praise. The legend reminiscent of the allegory of the flood and the saving of mankind.