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AN INDIAN MINIATURE PAINTING DEPICTING VARAHA DEFEATING HIRANYAKSHA, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
Lot 1465 - AK0126
India, Rajasthan, Nathdwara. Opaque pigments and gold on paper. Finely painted to depict the boar-headed avatara of Vishnu plunging a spear through the yaksha, calmly balancing the earth as a temple atop a lotus bud on his snout, as his primary imperative is to bring order out of chaos. Each figure is dressed in a saffron dhoti with a goad clasped in their hand, set against rolling hills and ochre skies.
Provenance: From a private collection in Switzerland. The back inscribed in pencil, ‘Nathdwara 1860’.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, some rubbing, flaking, creasing, and soiling. The backing reinforced.
Dimensions: Image size 16.6 x 14 cm, Size incl. frame 18.4 x 15.5 cm
Varaha is the third incarnation of Vishnu in the Dashavatara. The transformation of Vishnu into a boar became necessary when the demon, Hiranayaksha, once dragged the earth under the sea. The earth-goddess's cries for help reached Vishnu who took the form of a boar, plunged into the depths of the ocean, gored the demon to death and surfaced with the earth intact.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related miniature painting of Varaha, dated 1825-1875, in the Rijksmuseum, object number RP-T-1993-284. Compare a related Pahari miniature painting depicting Vishnu as Varaha, Punjab Hills, dated c. 1700-1710, in the British Museum, registration number 1966,0725,0.1. Compare a related Bilaspur painting of Varaha rescuing the Earth, dated c. 1730-1740, in the Brooklyn Museum, accession number 41.1026.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 17 March 2015, lot 1139
Price: USD 4,000 or approx. EUR 5,200 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An illustration depicting Varaha defeating Hiranyaksha
Expert remark: This depiction of the same subject is further similar in its relatively peaceful nature with human features and subdued violence. Note the size (21 x 15.6 cm).
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