Double-sided Page from a Newar Mahabharata Manuscript

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Double-sided Page from a Newar Mahabharata Manuscript

14th - 15th century

Artist/maker unknown, Nepalese

This folio illustrates scenes from the Indian epic the Mahabharata. Revered among Hindus the world over, this story details major and minor family disputes among royal cousins with helpful and interfering gods and demons entering into play. While it is difficult to determine the exact scenes portrayed here, their artistic merit is evident, even with surfaces marred by bloody ritual offerings. The individuals' lower garments display the red, white, and blue striped patterns of the middle centuries of the Malla period, while the floating flowers, fantastic trees, and billowing shawls of the ladies reflect earlier Malla motifs.

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Object Details

Title:

Double-sided Page from a Newar Mahabharata Manuscript
Two Demon-Warriors and Enthroned Mahendradevana (Vishnu) and His Wife Kamalaprabha (Lakshmi), Pandava Bhimasena defeats Combatant flanked by and Two Demons in a Forest, From a dispersed Newar Mahabharata

Date:

14th - 15th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Nepalese

Medium:

Opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions:

4 3/16 × 8 5/8 inches (10.6 × 21.9 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Stella Kramrisch Fund, 2006

Accession Number:

2006-7-1a,b

Geography:

Made in Nepal, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Malla Dynasty (1200-1769) Period: Medieval Period (c. 600 - c. 1300)

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