Funeral Pyre

Currently not on view

Funeral Pyre

Late 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

This picture-story painting may show the funeral pyre of Indrajit, magical son of the demon Ravana in the epic Ramayana. Two large officiants offer garlands to the sacrificial fire while two bowmen, pictured in Maratha-style turbans, appear to shoot arrows into it. The eye and arm visible within the flames may be those of Indrajit's widow, who carried Indrajit's head into the blazing pyre. As in most picture-stories, the background is unpainted, showing the mass-produced European paper on which such works were usually done.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Funeral Pyre
Probably a picture-story series of the Lankadahana episode of the Ramayana (Legend of Lord Rama)

Date:

Late 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 11 1/2 × 15 5/16 inches (29.2 × 38.9 cm) Sheet: 12 1/8 × 16 inches (30.8 × 40.6 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-148-537

Geography:

Made in Deccan Region, India, Asia Possibly made in Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia Possibly made in Karnataka, India, Asia Possibly made in Telangana, India, Asia

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Currently not on view