Lakshmana at the hermitage, folio from a Ramayana

Kulu or Bilaspur school Painted in an eccentric palette of lemon yellow, warm pink, and mauve, this scene represents an ashram. The two young disciples Rama and Lakshmana appear twice: once with their teachers on the painting's left and again on the left by the gateway in the woven brush/bramble fence. A tiger and water buffalo lap water from the pond. Inscribed on the top, right and bottom sides of the red border in takri script; Inscribed on the reverse in nagari: Ara[n]ya, 25; right side and an upside down. Raja Raghbir Singh, Shangri, Kullu Valley, India. 1970 Sale, London, Sotheby’s, Oriental Manuscripts and Miniatures, July 15, 1970, lot no. 164: “Lakshmana Arriving at a Hermitage by a Lake.” From 1970 to 2001 Ralph Benkaim (1914-2001), Beverly Hills, California, purchased at auction, “Oriental Manuscripts and Miniatures” Sotheby’s, London, July 15, 1970, lot no. 164, “Lakshmana Arriving at a Hermitage by a Lake.” [1] From 2001 to 2018 Catherine Glynn Benkaim, Beverly Hills, California, by inheritance from Ralph Benkaim in 2001. [2] From 2018 Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, partial gift and purchase from Catherine Glynn Benkaim. [3] Notes: [1] Ralph Benkaim purchased the painting in July 1970 from Sotheby’s, two years before Indian paintings were classified as antiquities by the Indian government, according to his personal records via Catherine Glynn Benkaim. [2] See Acquisition Justification Form, object file, Collections Management Office. [3] See note 2. National Museum of Asian Art Collection Raja Raghbir Singh Sotheby's (London) Ralph (1914-2001) and Catherine Benkaim Catherine Glynn Benkaim