VISHNU RECLINING ON THE SERPENT SHESHA (ANANTASHAYANA VISHNU)
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION
Mewar, Rajasthan, North-Western India, mid-19th century

Opaque pigments heightened with gold and silver on paper, the vertical composition depicting the typical scene of Lord Vishnu creating the Universe whilst sleeping on the infinite snake Shesha floating on the Kshir Sagar (the Ocean of Milk) here represented as a silver pond with pink lotus flowers and aquatic animals like ducks, fish, a makara, and a turtle, Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi, massaging the sleeping god's feet, Brahma, the Hindu god of Creation, seated on a lotus flower emerging from Vishnu's belly button, the scene set within black and white rules, and green and red borders, mounted, glazed and framed, the painting 30.3cm x 21.5cm, 48cm x 37cm including the frame.

Provenance: Private Miami Collection.