Bhima and Duryodhana thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bhima and Duryodhana

Painting
ca. 1885 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers is shown fighting Duryodhana, eldest son of King Dhritarashtra, in a duel with clubs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBhima and Duryodhana (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour on paper
Brief description
Painting, Bhima and Duryodhana fighting with clubs, opaque watercolour on paper, Kalighat, Kolkata, ca. 1885
Physical description
Painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers is shown fighting Duryodhana, eldest son of King Dhritarashtra, in a duel with clubs.
Dimensions
  • Height: 20in
  • Width: 13in
Content description
Bhima, one of the five Pandava brothers, is shown fighting Duryodhana, eldest son of King Dhritarashtra, in a duel with clubs.
Style
Marks and inscriptions
(handwritten on object)
Translation
'the destruction of Duryodhana'
Transliteration
'duryodhanabadha'
Object history
Acquired from Miss M Steele, being part of a collection inherited from her mother

Historical significance: Calcutta was recognised as the Capital of British India from 1833-1912. By the 1830s, artists had arrived from rural villages in Bengal and began to produce paintings that reflected local history, mythology, customs and conflicts of a colonised society. As a popular art form, these artists are recognised for their use of brilliant colour, simplified images and swift brushstrokes that became the hallmark of Kalighat painting in the 19th and early 20th century.
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic reference
Archer, W G: 'Kalighat Paintings', V&A, 1971, p71, 25lii
Collection
Accession number
IS.585-1950

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 13, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest