Live Auction 1203The India Sale
The killing of Kamsa
Lot 102 REGISTERED ANTIQUITY - NON-EXPORTABLE

The killing of Kamsa

INDIA, BIKANER, CIRCA 1590-1610

Closed15 December 2015

Price Realised

INR 625,000

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The killing of Kamsa
India, Bikaner, circa 1590-1610
A nobleman in a red angharka and white turban grabbing Kamsa, ruler of Mathura and uncle of Krishna, by the hair, the loosened turban falling to the ground, on a terrace in a pistachio-green landscape outside a domed palace at left, with blue-skinned Krishna and white-skinned Balarama at right, the divine figures wearing long garlands, gold bangles, and tall tripartite tiaras, partly damaged full peach margin with inner white rules, yellow outer border, the reverse with devanagri inscriptions, ownership stamp and librarian's signature
Opaque pigments and gold on paper
6 5/8 x 9 5/8 in. (17 x 24.6 cm.)

Royal Collection of Bikaner (no. 637), before 11 June 1964

Specialist note

The scene is identified with a devanagri inscription on the verso as illustrating line 143 of the Bhagavata Purana, the episode in which Krishna defeats the villainous king Kamsa, who is also the deity's uncle. The painting represents the moment before the killing, when Kamsa is attacked by a nobleman who begins the subduing process. Krishna reaches towards his proper left side, perhaps for a sword concealed there. Balarama points a finger at his lips in a gesture of astonishment. For another painting from the same series, see the preceding lot.