Who painted Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series?

Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series was painted by Sanju.

Where can I see Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series?

Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series?

Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series is associated with Pahari Painting.

Artwork

Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series

Sanju

Mars, from a Mandi Astrology Series is an unspecified painting by the Pahari Painting artist Sanju. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work belongs to a series that visualizes astrological figures, each representing a planet or zodiac sign.

Accession no.: 2020.433
Credit line: Gift of Nancy and Wayne Hunnicutt

About this work

Overview

The work belongs to a series that visualizes astrological figures, each representing a planet or zodiac sign. In this particular piece, the planet Mars is rendered as a martial figure, set against a celestial backdrop. The painting served a practical function in traditional Indian calendrical calculations, helping priests identify auspicious dates for ceremonies and other events.

Subject & Meaning

Mars is portrayed as a green‑skinned warrior astride a tiger, brandishing a sword and shield while dressed in red and gold. The composition conveys both the planet’s martial attributes and its role in determining favorable moments for activities such as weddings or battles within the cultural context of the Pahari kingdoms.

Technique & Style

Executed with precise, clean lines and vivid pigments, the painting avoids the loose, expressive brushwork found in some contemporaneous works. The artist, identified as Sanju, employs bright, contrasting colors to delineate the figure and the surrounding starry sky, emphasizing clarity and order over spontaneity.

History & Provenance

Created in the northern Indian Pahari region, the piece was part of a set used by court priests to consult planetary positions before important events. The series reflects the historical importance of astrology in scheduling rituals and military actions in the Pahari kingdoms.

Context

In traditional Indian astrology, the alignment of planets with specific calendar dates was essential for determining propitious times. Paintings like this one functioned as visual aids, translating celestial calculations into accessible imagery for ritual specialists.