Who painted Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana?

Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana was painted by Unknown in 1820.

Where can I see Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana?

Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana?

Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana

Unknown , 1820

Indrajit, Rama and Lakshmana is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created circa 1820 in opaque watercolor on paper, this work illustrates a dramatic episode from the sixth book of the Ramayana.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1820 in opaque watercolor on paper, this work illustrates a dramatic episode from the sixth book of the Ramayana. The composition centers on a rocky cavern where three figures in vivid robes stand, one gesturing upward while the others observe, one armed with a bow and arrows.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures Indrajit, the son of the demon king Ravana, unleashing a volley of arrows that transform into serpents aimed at the heroes Rama and Lakshmana. Their allies—bears and monkeys—are shown attempting to repel the attack, emphasizing the struggle between divine protagonists and demonic forces.

Technique & Style

Executed in opaque watercolor, the artist employs a palette of soft hues contrasted with sharp tonal shifts to heighten the sense of drama. Light is directed into the cavern, creating deep shadows that render the interior mysterious while highlighting the figures and their weapons.

History & Provenance

The painting originates from the early nineteenth‑century Indian tradition of narrative watercolor, a period when such works were often commissioned for devotional or educational purposes. Its current location is recorded in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which holds several comparable pieces from the same era.