Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman in a Boat Drawn by Birds (pounce)
18th century
Description
In this drawing, two birds pull a boat leftward. Standing at the front of the boat is the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. Rama, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, is seated at the center of the boat, cross-legged. He wears a crown topped with a large lotus blossom. He is flanked by his wife, Sita, who is seated on the left, and his brother Lakshmana, who stands on the right. Lakshmana holds a large flywhisk and also wears a crown topped with a lotus. The figures all are part of the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana, or “Story of Rama”. The drawing features small holes. The holes represent a transferring technique known as pounce. Powder, such as graphite or chalk, is passed through the holes onto a clean working surface to give an exact copy of the image that is to be copied. Rajput Style, Kota School.
Dimensions
10.4 x 20 cm (4 1/8 x 7 7/8 in.)
Provenance
Stuart Cary Welch (by 1969 - 2008,) by descent; to his estate (2008-2009,) gift; to Harvard Art Museum. Notes: Object was part of temporary loan to Museum in 1969.
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