An illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana, depicting Kamsa seizing Vasudeva...
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An illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana, depicting Kamsa seizing Vasudeva and Devaki's daughter
Nepal, 19th Century
ink, gouache and gold on paper
184 x 296 mm.
Footnotes:
Provenance
Sigfred Taubert (1914-2008), Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, 1958-1973.
The inscription describing the scene is in Nepali, written in nagari script. The inscription verso is a note of some kind, probably referring to the order of the pages, with the number 11.
In the Bhagavata Purana, Kamsa was the tyrant ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. He is variously described as a demon (asura) or a demon reborn in human form. After overthrowing his father he became king, but a prophecy predicted that the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki would kill him, despite Devaki being his relative. He therefore killed all six of their children, but Krishna, their eighth son, after various adventures, ultimately slayed his uncle.
In this illustration the imprisoned Vasudeva and Devaki are seated on a bed, their hands raised to their faces in horror at the murder of one of their sons in front of their eyes. Kamsa, the blue-skinned crowned figure in court dress appears twice, first grasping the child by his ankles and then on the right, killing him by bludgeoning him against a rock.
Nepal, 19th Century
ink, gouache and gold on paper
184 x 296 mm.
Footnotes:
Provenance
Sigfred Taubert (1914-2008), Director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, 1958-1973.
The inscription describing the scene is in Nepali, written in nagari script. The inscription verso is a note of some kind, probably referring to the order of the pages, with the number 11.
In the Bhagavata Purana, Kamsa was the tyrant ruler of the Vrishni kingdom with its capital at Mathura. He is variously described as a demon (asura) or a demon reborn in human form. After overthrowing his father he became king, but a prophecy predicted that the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki would kill him, despite Devaki being his relative. He therefore killed all six of their children, but Krishna, their eighth son, after various adventures, ultimately slayed his uncle.
In this illustration the imprisoned Vasudeva and Devaki are seated on a bed, their hands raised to their faces in horror at the murder of one of their sons in front of their eyes. Kamsa, the blue-skinned crowned figure in court dress appears twice, first grasping the child by his ankles and then on the right, killing him by bludgeoning him against a rock.
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An illustrated folio from a manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana, depicting Kamsa seizing Vasudeva...
Estimate £1,500 - £2,000
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