Vamana being blessed by King Bali

ca. 1780s

Not on view

Set on a green ground with a series of delicate red and white flowering plants in the foreground, each figure stands in raised gilt sandals wearing a two-coloured dhoti and gilt ornaments. The prince is shaven-headed with a looped pigtail, his parasol held in the crook of his arm while he holds his hands forward for ritual purification. The white-faced priest wears a traditional conical south Indian headdress as he solemnly pours water from a gilt ewer. All the gilt decoration – the jewellery, headdress, sandals, parasol and garment borders is applied gold leaf which is burnished and heightened with colour and pin-prick incisions.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Vamana being blessed by King Bali
Date: ca. 1780s
Culture: India (Andhra Pradesh)
Medium: Opaque pigments with gold on paper
Dimensions: Image: 7 × 4 1/8 in. (17.8 × 10.5 cm); sheet: 8 1/4 × 5 5/16 in. (21 × 13.5 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Purchase, Nancy Fessenden Gift, 2016
Object Number: 2016.248
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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