circa 1790

The scene depicting the dark-skinned Rama with his brother Lakshmana at lower left, receiving a message delivered by Vibhishana, younger brother of the demon king Ravana, who later joined forces with Rama. The group is encircled and protected by the monkeys and bears of Rama's army, some of whom are carrying tree branches. Others have their heads turned towards the fortified golden citadel of Lanka, situated on a rocky cliff, from where the demon Kumbhakarna gazes out.

Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper

Notes: The portrayal of the seemingly invincible fortress of Lanka placed atop sheer rocky escarpments, may be compared to another illustration from the same series; see Craven, 1990, fig. 8, pp. 98-99. For more illustrations from the same series, also see Pal, 2001, nos. 60 & 61; Sotheby's New York, March 22, 2002, lots 59 & 60; and Sotheby's New York, November 14, 2002, lot 84.

Provenance: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE NEW YORK COLLECTION

Sotheby's New York, September 16, 1999, lot 180

Dimensions: image 8 by 12 in. (20.3 by 30.5 cm.)