Lot Essay
Following Krishna's defeat of Jarasandha the demon Kaljaman was invited by Narada the sage to do battle with Krishna. Kaljaman Advanced with his army on Mathura. Krishna in response Directed Vishvakarma to build the city of Dwarka in one night and then to convey there Ugrasena, Vasudeva and the remaining Yadavas. Krishna then appeared before Kaljaman who taunted him, upon which Krishna ran away. Kaljaman set off alone in pursuit, thereby leaving the protection of his army.
A number of paintings from this very clearly drawn series are known. William Archer (1973 op.cit.) illustrates two more as nos.36(i) and 36(ii), p.296. Some still remain in the Lambagraon royal family collection in Kangra, where they probably came through marriage (M.S. Randhawa, Basohli Painting, Calcutta, 1959, frontis. and pls. 8-10). Archer illustrates a slightly earlier version of the same depictions as is found here, painted at Mankot in around 1700-1710 and now in the Chandigarh Museum, Mankot Raj Collection (vol.II, no.25(vii)). Both figures in each version are painted in identical poses; here the adaptation to a vertical format means that the figures burst through into the margins.
A number of paintings from this very clearly drawn series are known. William Archer (1973 op.cit.) illustrates two more as nos.36(i) and 36(ii), p.296. Some still remain in the Lambagraon royal family collection in Kangra, where they probably came through marriage (M.S. Randhawa, Basohli Painting, Calcutta, 1959, frontis. and pls. 8-10). Archer illustrates a slightly earlier version of the same depictions as is found here, painted at Mankot in around 1700-1710 and now in the Chandigarh Museum, Mankot Raj Collection (vol.II, no.25(vii)). Both figures in each version are painted in identical poses; here the adaptation to a vertical format means that the figures burst through into the margins.