Rama and Lakshmana on Mount Pavarasana: Folio from the Shangri Ramayana series (Style II)

Rama is shown with his brother at the summit of Mount Pavarasana passing a sleepless night after searching in vain for his wife, Sita, who has been abducted by the demon Ravana. Her fate is as yet unknown to Rama,so his fear has not yet turned to anger. The Ramayana emphasizes the vast territory they have covered and the desperate nature of their search, suggested by the featureless expanse leading to the curving horizon, marked by a silver moon.

This painting belongs to the Shangri Ramayana series, which is associated with a number of Punjab court styles, suggesting that it was the product of itinerant artists who worked for a number of patrons in the region. This folio is most closely associated with the atelier at Mandi, known for its simple but compelling compositions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Rama and Lakshmana on Mount Pavarasana: Folio from the Shangri Ramayana series (Style II)
  • Date: ca. 1690–1710
  • Culture: India. Punjab Hills, kingdom of Jammu (Bahu)
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and silver on paper
  • Dimensions: 7 x 12 1/8 in. (17.8 x 30.8 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Cynthia Hazen Polsky Gift, 1999
  • Object Number: 1999.400
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.