Who painted Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series?

Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series was painted by Unknown in 1650.

Where can I see Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series?

Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series is held by Brooklyn Museum.

What movement is Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series?

Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series is associated with Mughal Painting.

Artwork

Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series

Unknown , 1650

Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work titled “Battle Scenes from a Bhagavata Purana Series” is a painted composition that portrays a tumultuous combat tableau. Figures on foot and mounted on horses clash amid a vivid palette dominated by reds, oranges, and whites, with touches of yellow that heighten the sense of unrest. The canvas is part of the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

Subject & Meaning

Drawing its narrative from the Bhagavata Purana, the painting illustrates a mythic battle, likely referencing episodes of divine conflict described in the text. The crowded arrangement of warriors and steeds conveys the chaos and intensity characteristic of such legendary confrontations, inviting viewers to contemplate the epic’s themes of struggle and cosmic order.

Technique & Style

The artist employs a high level of detail, rendering intricate patterns on armor and clothing that reveal careful brushwork. Bold, saturated hues—especially reds and oranges—are juxtaposed with stark whites, creating visual tension. The background’s deep red field recedes while dynamic figures in the foreground are rendered with precise anatomical poses, emphasizing movement.

History & Provenance

The painting is presently housed in the Brooklyn Museum, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of South Asian art. No additional ownership history is provided in the available documentation.

Context

As a component of a larger series based on the Bhagavata Purana, the work reflects a tradition of visualizing Hindu scripture through narrative painting. Such series were often commissioned to educate or inspire devotion, situating the battle scene within a broader program of illustrating the Purana’s stories.