A painting from the Bhagavata Purana: Battle between Banasura and Krishna Begins
Nepal, circa 1775
Depicting a city in flames at left while a battle ensues, with multi-armed Banasura at top centre facing possibly Balarama, blue-skinned Krishna with his four arms at centre astride Garuda in red, and multi-headed Shiva atop Kartikeya at lower left facing possibly Pradyumna, surrounded by flying arrows, various warriors and battle animals, in red borders with an inscription at bottom
Opaque pigments on wasli
13½ x 20¼ in. (34.2 x 51.4 cm.), painting
15 x 21¾ in. (38 x 55.2 cm.), folio
Details
- Title : A painting from the Bhagavata Purana: Battle between Banasura and Krishna Begins
- Classification : Painting
- Medium : Opaque pigments on wasli
- Country/ Geo-location : Nepal
- Period : circa 1775
- Collection : Christies
- LOT : 198
- Lot Essay : The present and following two lots come from a unique and distinguished Nepalese version of the Bhagavata Purana, which chronicles the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, each of whom must save the world from danger, destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous. For other leaves in the same series, see W. Archer and B. Binney, Rajput Miniatures, 1968, p. 64-66, no. 49 and P. Pal, Art of Nepal, 1985, no. P35a-b. These first two paintings depict moments of the battle between the multi-armed Banasura and Krishna. When news that Krishna's grandson, Aniruddha, had been captured by Banasura, Krishna and his clan members set off with their army and laid siege to Banasura's city. Banasura, who was under the protection of Shiva, met their army with Shiva and his horde of mystic sages at his side. The present lot depicts the beginning of the battle, with Banasura first engaging what could be Balarama, Krishna's brother, Shiva engaging possibly Pradyumna, who will draw Kartikeya's blood, and Krishna at center wreaking havoc with his whirling arms. The two sides warred, with Krishna first dispatching with the army and then confusing Shiva so terribly that the he and Kartikeya flee, leaving the army to be successfully beaten by the rest of Krishna's army.
- Price realised : USD 30,000
- Estimate : USD 8,000 - USD 12,000