A Prince Performs Austerities (recto), from a Romance of Chandrabhanu and Lavanyavati of Upendra Bhanja (1670–1740)

1700s

Maker Unknown

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

A Prince Performs Austerities (recto), from a Romance of Chandrabhanu and Lavanyavati of Upendra Bhanja (1670–1740), 1700s. Eastern India, Odisha (formerly Orissa). Gum tempera and lampblack on palm leaf; leaf: 5.1 x 41 cm (2 x 16 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.175.a In this illustration from the beginning of a popular romance, a prince performed intense austerities and devotions to the Shiva linga in order to obtain a divine woman. He practices yoga surrounded by fires during the hot season and wanders unsheltered during monsoon, as seen on the recto. On the verso, Shiva has answered his prayers and returns home to his "cave on Mount Kailash," as stated in the inscription.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: Gum tempera and lampblack on palm leaf
Medium: gum, tempera, lampblack, palm, leaf
Dimensions: Leaf: 5.1 x 41 cm (2 x 16 1/8 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: kailasakandara Translation: A cave in Kailasa Remark: On the verso, next to the mountain Inscription: 1 Translation: Page one Remark: The number is in the left margin. A number 4 has been scrtched out above the number one; either way this was an early folio in the manuscript, either the first or the fourth. Inscription: e pancagni gartta acchi Translation: This is the five fire pit. Inscription: e rajāpua tapasā kari/ sivapūjā kari acchi Translation: The prince, having performed austerities, worships Shiva. Remark: on the recto Inscription: agni jalum accchi Translation: Fire is blazing. Remark: On the recto, at the top, right, incised in Oriya
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 2018.175.a
Credit Line: Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Rights Statement: CC0