AN ILLUSTRATION TO THE BHAGAVATA PURANA: THE INFANT KRISHNA SLAYS THE DEMONESS PUTANAINDIA, GULER, CIRCA 1780-90 | AN ILLUSTRATION TO THE BHAGAVATA PURANA: THE INFANT KRISHNA SLAYS THE DEMONESS PUTANAIndia, Guler, circa 1780-90

The infant Krishna at the breast of the crumpled demoness Putana suckling the life out of her.  His mother Yashoda gently pulls at his arm - concerned that Krishna's once beautiful nurse has been transformed and her true identity revealed as a demoness - sent by Krishna's vengeful uncle Kamsa to poison the child.  Gopis with Nanda and Balarama look on gesturing with wonder at the sight.  A single tree with a sturdy dark trunk and beautifully defined green leaves diagonally frames the scene against a delicate light-blue sky.  Dark clouds tinged with crimson recede at the upper right.  A refined composition of great clarity and elegance. This extremely fine miniature is attributable to painters of the workshop of the Seu-Nainsukh family - active primarily at the court of Guler during the generation after Nainsukh in the latter Eighteenth Century.  For a further discussion on the history and characteristics of this workshop see B.N. Goswamy and Eberhard Fischer "The First Generation After Manaku and Nainsukh of Guler" pp. 687 - 718, essay in Masters of Indian Painting 1100-1650, Artibus Asiae, 2015.  And for comparisons to some Rajasthani examples of the Putana episode see: Andrew Topsfield, In the Realm of Gods and Kings, London, 2004, pp. 148-149, cat. 57, and Darielle Mason (Ed.), Intimate Worlds: Indian Paintings from the Alvin O. Bellak Collection, Philadelphia 2001, pp. 144-145, cat.57.

Collection of Mr. Gordon H. Mattison, Maryland

Very good overall condition. Minor flakes to pigment on the green Jama off the bearded figure on right and on the golden sash securing his turban, clearly visible in catalogue illustration. Very minor staining to the light grounds and whites. The green leaves of the tree are lighter and brighter in reality. The painting has salmon pink folio border not illustrated in catalogue. Exhibited in temporary frame. This painting has not been inspected outside its 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.