ClassificationsAsian Art

Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman Rest in the Forest

Place CreatedPunjab, India, Asia

CultureIndia, Punjab Hills

Datelate 18th-19th Century

MediumOpaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper

Credit LineGift of Jayantilal K. and Geeta J. Patel and family to further the study of Hinduism

Dimensions9 × 6 1/2 in. (22.9 × 16.5 cm)

Object number2012.014.001

Label TextAs told in the Ramayana, Vishnu takes the form of his seventh avatar, the righteous Prince Rama of Ayodhya, in order to destroy the demon Ravana, who is terrorizing the universe. Denied the throne on the eve of his coronation, Rama finds himself exiled to the forest for 14 years, accompanied by his devoted wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. After Ravana kidnaps Sita, Rama journeys to kill Ravana and rescue his wife. On the way, he meets the monkey god Hanuman, who becomes his faithful ally.

Here, Rama, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, wearing the humble garb of ascetics, rest in the forest on a leaf mat. Rama’s bow and quiver lie on the ground in front of the mat, and deer graze around the trio, unafraid of being hunted. Holding Rama’s foot in his hand, Lakshmana tenderly removes a thorn from Rama’s foot as Hanuman places his arm around Rama’s shoulder. Here, Hanuman and Lakshmana are the ideal devotees of Rama, understood to be Vishnu incarnate.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, February 22, 2013 - October 27, 2014
Tell the Whole Story from Beginning to End: The Ramayana in Indian Painting, Michael C. Carlos Museum, February 20 - May 20, 2018
The Avatars of Vishnu, Michael C. Carlos Museum, April 24 - July 18, 2021
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, August 28, 2021 - Present
Published ReferencesMCCM Newsletter, Fall-Winter 2012.

ProvenanceWith North American dealer. Purchased by MCCM from Sotheby's New York, March 21, 2012, lot 209.

Status

On view

Collections