ManuscriptsIndian16th century

Battle Scene (painting, recto), folio fragment from a Bhagavata Purana series

c.1540

Description

This painting depicts figures marching into battle on chariots and horse-backs, drawing their weapons towards their enemy. This painting is part of a four-folio scene, which, combined, would create a large battle painting. It is possible that this folio, along with the other three, was made sometime after the Dispersed Bhagavata Purana series was completed to accompany the series. There is no text on the reverse of this folio. This painting belongs to the 'Dispersed' Bhagavata Purana series, produced in the early 16th century, possibly in Mathura. The series, possibly consisting of 360 such folios, is based on the tenth book of the Bhagavata Purana, which describes the story of Krishna, particularly his childhood and youth. This series was one of South Asia's earliest illustrated Bhagavata Purana manuscripts. Other folios from the same Bhagavata Purana series in the Harvard Art Museum’s collection are objects 1963.145, 1974.124, 1974.125, 1974.126, 1974.127, 1992.283, 1995.67, 1995.68. Caurapancasika-group style.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Opaque watercolor on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

16th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art