Title
10 incarnations of Vishnu with Rama, Sita and Lakshmana
Year/Period
19th century
Region
Mysore, Karnataka, south India
Technique
Tanjore painting is done by preparing the wooden surface with a thin muslin cloth coated with a primed surface. The paint is applied to this surface after the main drawing is finished. The relief areas are prepared with plaster to create an undulation in the surface to which gilt is applied later. In this painting, the relief pattern on the arches and pillars is created with such an effect.
Dimension
Image size: Image: 72.5 x 57.5 cm,
Frame size: Frame: 87.7 x 72.5 cm
Frame size: Frame: 87.7 x 72.5 cm
Accession No.
1998-00214
Collection of
This painting depicts Dashavatara of Vishnu or the ten incranations of Lord Vishnu. One of Vishnu's famous incarnations, Rama, is depicted in the centre as the ten incarnations are placed in a circle around this central image. Each incarnation is placed within a niche, a typical canopied structure found as a leitmotif in most Tanjore style paintings. Here in this painting, the conch and the discus, symbols of Vishnu's weapons are depicted in the centre implying identifiable cultic affiliations. Tanjore paintings of this kind adorn personal altars and are donated to temples as well.
