Beschreibung:

An Illustration from the Bhagavata Purana: Krishna Slays the Yaksha Sankachuda The present lot is from a Bhagavata Purana series which is considered to be the earliest known illustrated version of this manuscript. The stylistic and iconographic prototypes established here were to have a profound impact on subsequent Indian painting (Daniel Ehnbom, The Ehrenfeld Collection, New York, 1985, pp. 24-25). The bold colors, vigorous forms and inventive compositions bestow the narrative with an effectiveness that has an immediate impact (M. C. Beach, The Imperial Image: Paintings from the Mughal Court, Washington D. C.,1981, p. 48). The picture plane is divided into horizontal registers and the narrative moves from top to bottom. In the upper register we see the demon Sankhachuda at right harassing a group of goipkas who run to Krishna and his bother Balarama for protection. In the lower register Krishna is seen attacking the demon with his fists as he mounts on him and finally wrenches off his head. The victorious Krishna then presents Shankhachuda's 'jewel' to Balarama and the overjoyed gopikas. Opaque watercolor on paper image 5 7/8 by 8 5/16 in. (15 by 21.2 cm.) folio 6 11/16 by 9 1/16 in. (17 by 23 cm.) unframed circa 1525 - 40 North India