ManuscriptsIndian17th century

Battle Between Ghatotkacha and Karna, illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Mahabharata

c. 1670

Description

This is a detached folio from a manuscript of the Mahabharata. The text is written in black ink in Devanagari script on both sides, and on the recto it surrounds a painting. The painting depicts a climactic moment in the Kurukshetra war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Specifically, this is the battle between the magically-powered and comparatively coarse-featured Ghatotkacha (upper right, identified by a label in the margin above) and Karna, the best fighter on the Kaurava side.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

17th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

18 x 41.7 cm (7 1/16 x 16 7/16 in.)

Provenance

George Bickford (by 1991,). Stuart Cary Welch (by 1999-2008,); to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Collector George Bickford died October 14, 1991. Object was part of long-term loan to Museum in 1999.