Enthroned Rama and Sita receive homage from their monkey and bear allies

Enthroned Rama and Sita receive homage from their monkey and bear allies

Publication Date: c. 1765

Usage: CC0 1.0 Universal

Topics: Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Enthroned Rama and Sita receive homage from their monkey and bear allies, c. 1765. Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Nurpur. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; page: 40 x 28.6 cm (15 3/4 x 11 1/4 in.); miniature: 23.7 x 15 cm (9 5/16 x 5 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.117

This scene is set at the end of the Hindu epic Ramayana after Rama has taken his place as king after 13 years of exile in the forest. Rama’s blue skin identifies him as the incarnation of the god Vishnu, who came to earth to defeat a powerful demon. During Rama’s time of exile, the demon abducted Sita, Rama’s wife. In a battle of seemingly impossible odds, the exiled Rama gathered an army of monkeys and bears, and together they defeated the demon and rescued Sita. The chiefs of the monkey and bear armies pay their respects to the reunited royal couple.

• Credit: Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
• Culture: Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Nurpur
• Dimensions: Page: 40 x 28.6 cm (15 3/4 x 11 1/4 in.); Miniature: 23.7 x 15 cm (9 5/16 x 5 7/8 in.)
• Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper