Mahâbhârata series: Warriors in conference
Artist Unknown, India, Maharashtra, Paithan School
Description
This painting, along with two others shown in the gallery, is a double-sided folio from an illustrated series of scenes from the Mahâbhârata, an important ancient Indian epic. Paintings of this type are known as Paithan paintings, after the town where they were discovered in the twentieth century. Such works are large in scale and exceptionally bold in style. A narrator or assistant would have held up the painting for an audience to view while the narrator recited the text.
This scene depicts an episode from the fifth book of the Mahâbhârata, in which the rival Pandava and the Kaurava clans are vying for the throne of Hastinapura. Yudhishthir, the leader of the Pandavas and the original heir to the throne, was forced into exile after losing a game of dice with the leader of the Kauravas. When he sought to reclaim the throne, the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, refused to negotiate, and the two sides met in council to prepare for battle.
Spring/Summer Gallery Rotation 2015
Subject Matter:
This scene depicts an episode from the fifth book of the Mahâbhârata, in which the rival Pandava and the Kaurava clans are vying for the throne of Hastinapura. Yudhishthir, the leader of the Pandavas and the original heir to the throne, was forced into exile after losing a game of dice with the leader of the Kauravas. When he sought to reclaim the throne, the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, refused to negotiate, and the two sides met in council to prepare for battle.
Physical Description:
Large image painted with bold blues, reds, greens and yellows. Illustrates seven figures; three on the left half and four on the right. Several of the figures are pinching some sort of food substance. The figures that are closest to the right and left edges of the image also are holding weapons.
Usage Rights:
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