ClassificationsAsian Art

The Mutilation of Shurpanakha

Place CreatedKishangarh, Rajasthan, India, Asia

CultureIndia, Mewar

Date19th Century

MediumOpaque watercolor and ink on paper

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Dimensions16 1/8 × 11 1/8 in. (41 × 28.3 cm)

Object number2013.011.002

Label TextRavana’s sister Shurpanakha fell deeply in love with Rama when she encountered him in the forest. Rama, faithful to his wife Sita, rejected the demoness’s advances and incited Lakshmana to punish her by cutting off her ears and nose. This manuscript illustrates the aftermath of these events. In the upper left, a wounded Shurpanakha, seeking revenge, enlists the help of her brother Khara, flanked by two demons, who leads an army to kill the heroes (center). Below, after Rama directs his brother and wife to seek refuge, Rama valiantly prepares for battle.

This manuscript shows Shurpanakha as a beautiful maiden wearing a sari identical to Sita’s. While some depictions of Shurpanakha portray her as a hideous-looking demoness, this painting humanizes her, especially in comparison to her animal-faced demon brothers.
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
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, August 28, 2021 - Present
Published ReferencesChristie's New York, Indian and Southeast Asian including 20th Century (September 20, 2000), lot 238.

ProvenanceEx coll., Asia. With Christie's New York, September 20, 2000, lot 238. Purchased by MCCM from Bonhams New York, March 18, 2013, lot 103.

Status

On view

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