The musical mode Himal is embodied as Raja Mandhata, this manuscript’s patron. Shown splendidly dressed and seated in a grove with two birds perched on his hand, the king is an emblem of refinement.
The painting’s superbly controlled line, luminous palette, and precisely calculated composition identify it as part of one of the greatest ragamala series. The vivid yellow background was produced with a pigment made from the urine of cows fed on mangos; the recipe for this color (peori) has been lost to history.
Provenance:
Prior to 1960s
Mandi Royal Collection
From ca. 1980s
Unknown German dealer [1]
To 2003
Terence McInerney Fine Arts Ltd., New York, New York [2]
From 2003 to 2017
Catherine Glynn Benkaim, Beverly Hills, California, purchased from Terence McInerney Fine Arts Ltd., New York, New York in March 2003 [3]
From 2017
Freer Gallery of Art, partial gift and purchase from Catherine Glynn Benkaim [4]
Notes:
[1] According to conversation with Catherine Glynn Benkaim from June 14, 2016, Ms. Benkaim mentioned that this folio and numerous others from the series were with a German dealer in the 1980s.
[2] Catherine Glynn Benkaim purchased this painting from Terence McInerney Fine Arts Ltd. in March 2003.
[3] See note 2.
[4] See Acquisition Consideration Form, object file, Collections Management Office.
Collection:
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Exhibition History:
Body Image (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
Previous custodian or owner:
Mandi Royal Collection
Unknown
Terence McInerney Fine Arts, Ltd. (active 1990-2013)
