Artwork
Rama’s brothers Bharata and Shatrughna set out from Ayodhya to find Rama and Lakshmana in the forest to inform them of the death of their father Dasharatha, from Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)
Rama’s brothers Bharata and Shatrughna set out from Ayodhya to find Rama and Lakshmana in the forest to inform them of the death of their father Dasharatha, from Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting depicts a scene from the Ramayana, specifically Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda.
About this work
Technique & Style
The formal composition centers on the departure of Bharata and Shatrughna, utilizing the painted surface to illustrate the chapter from the Ayodhya Kanda.
Created in 1775, this work is classified as a painting housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The piece depicts a narrative scene featuring a tree, consistent with the visual storytelling of the Ramayana. The specific medium, support materials, and detailed handling techniques are not described in the available records, though the work is attributed to an unknown artist.
The formal composition centers on the departure of Bharata and Shatrughna, utilizing the painted surface to illustrate the chapter from the Ayodhya Kanda.
History & Provenance
The painting is attributed to an unknown artist and dated to 1775. It is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, bearing the accession number 2018.119, which indicates it entered the museum’s holdings in 2018. No further details about its commission, earlier ownership, or creation history are provided in the available sources.
The painting is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland. Its accession number is 2018.119. The work dates to 1775 and depicts a scene from Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda of the Ramayana, showing Bharata and Shatrughna departing Ayodhya. No specific exhibition history is recorded in the provided sources.
Context
The 1775 painting illustrates the episode in which Bharata and Shatrughna depart Ayodhya to locate Rama and Lakshmana after their father Dasharatha’s death, as described in Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda. It is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art and is attributed to an unknown artist working within the Indian narrative painting tradition of the late 18th century. The composition includes a tree and reflects the continued visual adaptation of the Ramayana in Indian art.
Overview
This painting depicts a scene from the Ramayana, specifically Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda. It illustrates the departure of Rama's brothers, Bharata and Shatrughna, from the walled city of Ayodhya. Their urgent mission is to locate Rama and Lakshmana in the forest to convey the news of their father King Dasharatha's passing. The composition shows a formal procession, highlighting the structured nature of their journey.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork captures a pivotal moment in the epic narrative, focusing on the dutiful journey of Bharata and Shatrughna. Their quest to find their exiled brothers and deliver the somber news of their father's death underscores themes of family obligation and royal succession. The scene emphasizes the gravity of their mission, setting the stage for subsequent events in the Ramayana saga.
Artist & collection
- Rama’s brothers Bharata and Shatrughna set out from Ayodhya to find Rama and Lakshmana in the forest to inform them of the death of their father Dasharatha, from Chapter 77 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)
Feast where Vishnu decides he will incarnate as King Dasharatha’s sons, from Chapters 14–15 of the Bala Kanda (Book of Childhood) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)
Rama and Sita