Artwork
Bhima and Duryodhana
Bhima and Duryodhana is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This painting, titled Bhima and Duryodhana, is a 19th-century work executed in opaque watercolour on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts a dramatic scene from Hindu mythology, showing Bhima and Duryodhana engaged in a duel with clubs, a pivotal moment in the epic Mahabharata.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a style characteristic of Kalighat painting, it features bold outlines, flat colours, and simplified forms, showcasing the distinctive visual language of this traditional Indian art form.
History & Provenance
Created in 1885, the painting was inherited by Miss M Steele before being acquired by its current owner, forming part of a private collection.
Context
Kalighat paintings from this period often drew upon local mythology and conflicts, reflecting the cultural and narrative preoccupations of the time.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
