BIKANER, RAJASTHAN, SECOND HALF 17TH OR 18TH CENTURY

In this painting, a plethora of animals are harmoniously congregating in pairs amidst an enchanting rocky landscape with Rama and Sita, being paid homage by Lakshmana and Hanuman, in the centre of the composition. The slender figures with high-pointed crowns are typical of late 17th and 18th century Bikaner school of painting. Whilst the imagery of paired animals is found in illustrations from the Ramayana to convey the dharmic harmony of Rama's reign, the number of animal pairs and the way they converge on the central figure recalls illustrations of King Solomon in Mughal and Deccani painting (see Christie's London, 28 October 2021, lot 67). Given that the only the four central figures are painted in opaque pigments, it is possible that a slightly earlier Mughal or Deccani work (given the number of Deccani paintings taken to Bikaner) depicting Solomon has been overpainted transforming the scene into one of a Ramayana theme.