Devi Tripurasundari, folio from a Mahavidya series

School of Sajnu Seated on the pale white naked body of Shiva, the four-armed black skinned Devi holds a whisk, scissors, gold lota and white cup. She is clad in conventional skirt and top and a transparent shawl and wears a golden crown and lavish jewels. The couple are set on a raised marble platform with a canopy and surrounded by delicate foliage by a river. ?-? Possibly William H. Wolff, Inc., New York, NY, method of acquisition unknown [1] ?-1975 Dr. Alec Simpson, method of acquisition unknown [2] 1975-September 11, 2012 Unidentified owner, purchased from Dr. Alec Simpson [3] September 11, 2012 Sale, New York, Bonhams, “Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art,” September 11, 2012, lot. 93 [4] September 11, 2012-2018 Catherine Glynn Benkaim, purchased at September 11, 2012, Bonhams Sale, New York [5] From 2018 Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, purchase and partial gift from Catherine Glynn Benkaim [6] Notes: [1] See curatorial notes titled “Devi Tripurasundari, folio from a Mahavidya series,” dated May 2019, pp. 145-146, copy in object file. The notes indicate that the dealer number inscribed on the object’s verso – 02/253 – possibly belonged to William H. Wolff. [2] See note 1. The curatorial notes state that “the painting is published as having been sold by a Dr. Alec Simpson in 1975.” Dr. Alec Simpson was a collector of Indian painting during the 1970s and 1980s. Dr. Simpson lived in New Jersey. [3] See note 1. [4] See note 1. Described as “Illustration from a Mahavidya series: Tripurasundari Opaque watercolor on paper” and the provenance was described as “Dr. Alec Simpson Collection, New Jersey.” A total of eleven objects from the Dr. Alec Simpson Collection were for sale at the 2012 Bonhams auction. [5] See note 1. The museum contacted Bonhams for more information about the object’s provenance; Bonhams did not respond. Catherine Glynn Benkaim is collector and scholar in the field of Indian painting. Ms. Benkaim met her husband, Ralph Benkaim (1914-2001), in the 1970s when she was the curator of Indian painting at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Ralph Benkaim was an entertainment lawyer from Los Angles who started collecting Indian and Islamic art in 1961. The couple were married 1979 and together they amassed a collection of Indian paintings, which included examples from all genres. They collected objects for their collection through dealers and auctions. Objects from their collection may also be found in the Cleveland Museum of Art, Williams College Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, among others. [6] See “Appendix B Bill of Sale” and “Appendix C Donor Substantiation Letter,” dated January 2, 2018, copy in object file. Research updated January 24, 2023 National Museum of Asian Art Collection Possibly William H. Wolff, Inc. (1906-1991) Dr. Alec Simpson Catherine Glynn Benkaim