18th - 19th century
The painting depicts the new mothers, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra with their sons, Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. These mothers are the wives of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, who performed a ritual to obtain sons with the help of priests (the king and the sages are depicted on the reverse of this painting.) This double-sided folio possibly belongs to a Ramayana manuscript produced in Sirohi. Other folios from the same manuscript in the Harvard Art Museums’ collections are 1973.164, 1973.165, 1973.166.A, 1973.166.B, 1973.167, 1973.168.A, 1973.169, 1973.170.A, 1973.170.B, 1973.171. Rajput, Rajasthani, Sirohi School.
25.7 x 30.6 cm (10 1/8 x 12 1/16 in.)
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
13th centuryEgyptianInk and gold on parchment
9th centuryArabInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
15th centuryPersianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th centuryPersianWatercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer over metallic layer on pasteboard (covers) Ink, gold, and colors on paper (text)
19th centuryPersianInk, colors, and gold on paper
15th centuryPersianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th centuryPersianOpaque watercolor on paper
19th centuryIndianInk on sheepskin vellum
6th centuryCopticOpaque watercolor on paper
17th centuryIndianInk, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
16th centuryPersian