An Illustration to the Ramayana: Rama and Lakshmana

Attributed to Pandit Seu, Basohli, circa 1730

Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper

Image: 8 1/4 x 12 1/4 in. (20.1 x 31.1 cm.)

Folio: 8 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. (21.6 x 31.8 cm.)

Provenance:

Collection of R. Hale, California, acquired by the family in the 1960s.

The present painting is attributed to the famous, yet elusive artist, Pandit Seu. The honorific title ‘Pandit’ probably denotes that the family was originally of the Brahamanical order. While it is speculated that he lived from 1680-1740, it is rare to find any dated or signed works by his hand, resulting in a small number of paintings attributed to him.

Pandit Seu was working at a time when the fundamentalist Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had disbanded his ateliers, forcing Mughal artists to search for patronage in Rajput kingdoms and simultaneously disburse their style into other regions. As this was happening, Pandit Seu traveled outside of Guler to the plains and made contact with Mughal artists who taught him their painting techniques. He brought these back to Guler and Basohli and is credited with aiding in the shift to a more formal style within the greater Pahari region.

In the present portrait of the Ramayana’s protagonists, this Mughal influence is apparent. The figures appear as strong individuals, assuming a space that belongs entirely to them rather than in an overlapping fashion typical of earlier Rajput painting. The face of each figure is unique, with Rama’s low eyes and his voluminous hair fully distinguished from Lakshmana’s clean hairline and downturned nose. Their flowing garments are highlighted by the stark, monochromatic yellow background characteristic of the Pahari tradition. This painting serves as a benchmark for the beginning of an exploration into depth and naturalism in the Pahari region.