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Lot Essay
Sudama, a poor Brahmin, was a childhood friend of Krishna. He fell on hard times as can be seen here in the depiction of his hovel with the holes in the thatched roof above and the green rags he is dressed in. Sudama initially resisted the idea of asking Krishna for help but finally gave in to his wife, Vasundhara’s plea. She packed a bundle of rice to take as a present and encouraged him to go to meet Krishna at his palace in Dwarka.
There are comparable illustrations of related scenes from two sets of Krishna Sudama series in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, attributed by W.G. Archer to Garhwal and dated circa 1775-1790 and 1800 (Archer, 1973, Vol. I, 7(i-v), 8, pp.113-114; Vol. II, ill.pp.80-81).
Another comparable Pahari painting depicting Sudama and Vasundhara sitting in their hut, probably painted in Garhwal and dated circa 1790, sold at Christie’s, London, 26 May 2016, lot 72.
There are comparable illustrations of related scenes from two sets of Krishna Sudama series in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, attributed by W.G. Archer to Garhwal and dated circa 1775-1790 and 1800 (Archer, 1973, Vol. I, 7(i-v), 8, pp.113-114; Vol. II, ill.pp.80-81).
Another comparable Pahari painting depicting Sudama and Vasundhara sitting in their hut, probably painted in Garhwal and dated circa 1790, sold at Christie’s, London, 26 May 2016, lot 72.