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Lot Essay
In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas were the five sons of Pandu, born to the same father from two mothers. Arjuna was given Draupadi’s hand in marriage after he won a shooting contest arranged by her father Drupada. However, all five brothers, Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahdeva, were married collectively to Draupadi. Here she is depicted standing beside Bhima with the other Pandava brothers seated behind them. Her father and two brothers, Dhristadyumna and Shikhandi, are seated in front. Both Draupadi’s brothers fought alongside the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War with Dhristadyumna as the commander of the Pandava army.
Our painting is attributed to the workshop of the Kangra artist, Purkhu. The principal artist at the court of Maharaja Sansar Chand of Kangra, Purkhu was the master of a large atelier and active between 1780 and 1820. Although there are no known works signed by Purkhu, a number of extensive large-sized series have been associated with him and his family. For a list of works attributed to his family workshop, see Goswamy and Fischer, 2011, pp. 720-721. The large format of the painting, the principal figures depicted as larger than the less important ones, the distinctive beards and large moustaches are all characteristic of Purkhu’s workshop.
For other paintings attributed to Purkhu and his workshop which have sold in these Rooms recently, see 2 May 2019, lot 117; 25 May 2017, lots 66, 67, 72; 10 June 2015, lots 69, 71; and 10 June 2013, lots 16, 19.
Our painting is attributed to the workshop of the Kangra artist, Purkhu. The principal artist at the court of Maharaja Sansar Chand of Kangra, Purkhu was the master of a large atelier and active between 1780 and 1820. Although there are no known works signed by Purkhu, a number of extensive large-sized series have been associated with him and his family. For a list of works attributed to his family workshop, see Goswamy and Fischer, 2011, pp. 720-721. The large format of the painting, the principal figures depicted as larger than the less important ones, the distinctive beards and large moustaches are all characteristic of Purkhu’s workshop.
For other paintings attributed to Purkhu and his workshop which have sold in these Rooms recently, see 2 May 2019, lot 117; 25 May 2017, lots 66, 67, 72; 10 June 2015, lots 69, 71; and 10 June 2013, lots 16, 19.