An Illustration from the Mahabharata Series: Draupadi and Kunti with the Pandavas

INDIA, KANGRA, CIRCA 1800

Details

An Illustration from the Mahabharata Series: Draupadi and Kunti with the Pandavas
India, Kangra, circa 1800
Depicting Krishna and Balarama at top left overlooking the scene, Draupadi serving food to the Pandava brothers and mother-in-law, Kunti, her father King Draupada in the pavillion at right and brother Drishtadyumna in orange, all within various tent and pavillion settings with the figures identified in Devanagiri script
11.7/8 x 16¼ in. (30.3 x 41.4 cm.)

Literature

V. Dehejia, ed. Devi The Great Goddess: Female Divinity in South Asian Art, 1999, cat no. 81.

Lot Essay

Arjuna, shown with dark skin, won Draupadi's hand in an archery contest. Before he could tell his mother the news, she decreed that he must share his fortune with his brothers, hence Draupadi had five husbands. The painting illustrates an early scene in the marriage of Draupadi and the Pandavas. Here they are depicted as brahmin ascetics in animal skins, disguising themselves from their rival cousins, the Kauravas. Draupadi's dejected suitors, indignant that a lowly brahmin could best them are also shown in royal garb being placated by her brother. For another painting from the same series, see P. Pal, Pleasure Gardens of the Mind: Indian Paintings from the Jane Greenough Green Collection, 1993, cat. no. 17.

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