INDIA, RAJASTHAN, JODHPUR, 1820-1840

This dynamic painting represents Durga Mahishasuramardini, or Durga the Killer of Mahishasura. Mahishasura is depicted here as half-buffalo, half-man; his buffalo head already severed, Durga is violently slashing at his human torso with a myriad of weapons. Vishnu and Shiva, along with two hounds, attack the buffalo portion of the demon body. A shrine sits upon a rocky outcrop in the distance.
Paintings of this subject are well known from across different Rajasthani schools. A Mewar sketch of the subject in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. no. 2008.359.8) dated to circa 1760 illustrates a remarkably similar composition to the present lot, with great stylistic variation.