An illustration from a Ramayana series, depicting Rama and Bharata meeting in the forest, with t...

An illustration from a Ramayana series, depicting Rama and Bharata meeting in the forest, with two sadhus and attendants Bilaspur, late 17th Century gouache on paper, nagari or takri inscription on painted surface 225 x 305 mm. Footnotes: Provenance Sotheby's, 17th December 1969, lot 166 (according to a previous owner's handwritten label on the backboard). The scene depicts a moment when Bharata, eldest brother of Rama and regent of Ayodhya, at last finds Rama after a long search, and begs for his forgiveness, asking him to return from exile and take the throne. For comparison see W. G. Archer, Indian Paintings from the Punjab Hills, London 1973, vol. I, pp. 230 & 231, nos. 5 (i-ii); and vol. II, p. 170, nos. 5(i-ii) - from a series depicting the business of noblemen at court. For other examples see Sotheby's, Oriental Manuscripts and Miniatures, 23rd April 1974, lot 93-100, and 9th July 1974, lot 202; Waddington & Tooth, London, June 1977, no. 68; Christie's New York, 20th March 2008; Francesca Galloway, London, October 2008, p. 29. For further discussion, see C. Glynn, 'Early Painting in Mandi', Artibus Asiae, XLIV, 1, 1983, pp. 21-64; and J. Bautze, Indian Miniature Paintings, c. 1590-c. 1850, Amsterdam 1987, p. 113. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing