Markendeya purana series: Bhavana on tiger confronts a demon / Rama and Hanuman / Artist Unknown, India, Northern Andhra Pradesh
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About this Item
Record Details
- Accession Number
- 1980/2.304
- Title
- Markendeya purana series: Bhavana on tiger confronts a demon / Rama and Hanuman
- Artist Nationality
- Indian
- Medium and Support
- ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on cloth
- Object Creation Date
- late 18th century
- Object Creation Place
- Asia (continent)
- India (nation)
- Andhra Pradesh (state)
- Creation Place 1
- Asia (continent)
- Creation Place 2
- India (nation)
- Creation Place 3
- Andhra Pradesh (state)
- Dimensions
- 118.7 cm x 87.8 cm (46 3/4 in. x 34 9/16 in.)
- Century
- 18th century
- Primary Object Classification
- Painting
- Primary Object Type
- figure painting
- Secondary Object Classification
- Painting
- Secondary Object Type
- narrative painting
- Physical Description
- The image is split into two unequal parts; a lower and upper. In the lower half of the image the figures are all holding weapons. The background of the image is red with the majority of the figures being yellow in color. A single blue figure is located in the lower left. This figure is seated on a wheeled, vehicle.
- Subject Matter
- The looming figure of the gold-skinned hero in the foreground is the sage Bhavana, who was considered the founder of a caste of itinerant painters and storytellers. Here Bhavana is shown in gigantic scale mounted on an equally oversized tiger as he challenges a dark demon. The demon rides in a horse-drawn chariot, so small by comparison that it is easy to overlook, and other tiny warriors fill the spaces between the protagonists. In the upper register, separated from the battle by a narrow strip of floral patterns, is an idyllic scene a queen in her garden accompanied by attendants. The long-necked birds in the trees and the variety of patterns in the women’s costumes add charm to the scene.
- This painting is a section of a long vertical scroll that would have been carried from village to village by itinerant storytellers. Such paintings often deal with caste-specific or region-specific narratives; in this case, it is the lineage of painters that is celebrated. The storyteller would unroll one large scene each evening and narrate the exploits of Bhavana. The large scale, simplified drawing, and bold colors make it especially appropriate for outdoor viewing from a distance.
- Secondary Keywords
- animals and creatures
- associated concepts
- legendary creatures
- mammals
- people
- people (agents)
- people and culture
- people by state or condition
- religions
- religions and religious concepts
- Rights
- If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/about/services/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Technical Details
- Collection
- University of Michigan Museum of Art
- Image Size
- 889 x 1209
- File Size
- 177 KB
- Record
- 1980/2.304
- Link to this Item
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1980-sl-2.304/1980_2.304.jpg
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Related Links
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- Manifest
-
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1980-SL-2.304:1980_2.304.JPG
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- Full citation
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"Markendeya purana series: Bhavana on tiger confronts a demon / Rama and Hanuman; Artist Unknown, India, Northern Andhra Pradesh." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1980-sl-2.304/1980_2.304.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 16, 2024.