Rama's Coronation

Place CreatedGuler, India, Asia

CultureIndia, Guler

Dateca. 1840

MediumOpaque watercolor and gold on paper

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

Dimensions8 5/8 × 11 1/4 in. (21.9 × 28.6 cm)

Object number2013.010.001

Label TextHaving defeated Ravana, rescued Sita, and returned to his kingdom, Rama takes center stage at his coronation in Ayodhya. He sits next to Sita in the pose of royal ease, with one foot raised and the other resting firmly on a footstool. Below are the ritual vessels used in the consecration. A delicate crescent moon emerges from the tail of Rama’s arrow, and a glowing orb of gold leaf surrounds his head. Behind Rama, his brothers fan the new king. Along the front wall, renunciants witness the coronation. On the left, Rama’s ardent devotee Hanuman stands before him. Also pictured are Vibhishana, brother of the defeated Ravana, dressed in green, and Jambavan and Sugriva, leaders of the bear and monkey armies. While his supporters look adoringly at the new king, Rama turns his back to the forest of exile and gazes outwards over his kingdom.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, April 1 - 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 - December 15, 2023
MCCM Permanent Collection Gallery, February 9, 2024 - Present
Published ReferencesChristie's New York, Indian and Southeast Asian Art (March 19, 2013), lot 312.

ProvenanceEx private collection, Tennessee. Purchased by MCCM from Christie's New York, March 19, 2013, lot 312.

Status

On view

Collections