MAHAVIRA ENTHRONED (#2513/5)

OPAQUE WATER COLOR AND GILT ON PAPER

RAJASTAN SCHOOL (IN KISHAYARK)

CIRCA 1700-1800; The throne in gold may have been executed as early as 1700, the surrounding figures , the green and blue surround and the floral design may have been added later in the early 1800’s?

32.7cm x 45.7/12.9” x 18.0”

EXHIBITED:

Ithaca College Museum of Art Ithaca, New York, 1971

Lycoming College Gallery, Williamsport Pennsylvania, 1981

DESCRIPTION: A Jain painting with 21 Tirthankaras . The composition is organized to emphasize the throne portion of the painting with the surrounding figures confined. Mahavira , the largest figure encrusted with jewels dominates in black. The diminutive cognizance associated with the Tirthankara is on the base of the pedestal on which he rests. At the base of the altar are the Hindu deities which appear as subordinate gods and goddesses in the Jain pantheon. Before the altar two devotees wave white fly whisks; both the male and female are exact in all detail, both physiognomic and ornamental. Both are richly adorned with jewelry. In the foreground is a hexagonal table on a foliate pattern floor.  Above, two winged fairies, supported by the wind which makes their skirts balloon, sprinkle the altar with blessings. The sun and moon are shown with faces.