Indrajit Makes Offerings: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series

Attributed to Manaku Indian

ca. 1725

Not on view

This preparatory drawing was for a painting intended for a Siege of Lanka series produced in the court studio at Guler (Rama Releases the Demon Spies Shuka and Sarana is a finished work from the series). Here, Ravana's son Indrajit, seated before a fire altar, makes an offering to the gods to secure the power to become invisible and fight his enemies from the air. Ravana's demons wait outside the temple holding offerings for the sacrifice; at their feet lays a decapitated goat, which Indrajit will offer to the god Agni. Following the success of this sacrifice, he attacked and overwhelmed Rama and Lakshmana, binding them with arrows (see Rama and Lakshmana Overwhelmed by Arrows). This drawing displays the skilled and subtle brushwork of the master artist Manaku and reveals his predilection for idiosyncratic solutions combined with a bold approach to composition.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Indrajit Makes Offerings: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series
Artist: Attributed to Manaku (Indian, active ca. 1725–60)
Date: ca. 1725
Culture: India, Punjab Hills, kingdom of Guler
Medium: Ink on paper
Dimensions: 24 1/2 x 32 5/8 in. (62.2 x 82.9 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1919
Object Number: 19.24.3
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Hiranyakashipu commands his demon warriors to threaten and injure Prahlada. Preparatory drawing from the ‘Small Bhagavata Purana’ Series, Manaku Indian, Brush drawing on paper, India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh — Hiranyakashipu commands his demon warriors to threaten and injure Prahlada. Preparatory drawing from the ‘Small Bhagavata Purana’ Series
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The Meeting of the Eyes, Manaku Indian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, India (Guler, Himachal Pradesh) — The Meeting of the Eyes
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Battle of the Kauravas and Srinjayas: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series, Manaku Indian, Opaque watercolor on paper, India (Guler, Himachal Pradesh) — Battle of the Kauravas and Srinjayas: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series
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Krishna Playing Blindman's Bluff, Manaku Indian, Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper, India (Guler, Himachal Pradesh) — Krishna Playing Blindman's Bluff
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