Balarama Fighting a Demoness, from a Bhagavata Purana

Detail of a pattern
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At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 1820
  • Geography

    Kangra, Himachal Pradesh state, Punjab Hills, India
  • Material

    Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W: 44.1 x 49.7 cm (17 3/8 x 19 9/16 in)
  • Accession Number

    S1988.19
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_S1988.19

Object Details

  • Court

    Kangra Court
  • School/Tradition

    Pahari school
  • Provenance

    ?-1981
    Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981), method of acquisition unknown [1]
    1981-1986
    The Estate of Joseph H. Hirshhorn
    1986-1988
    Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, bequest of Joseph H. Hirshhorn [2]
    From 1988
    Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, transfer from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See “Extract of the Minutes of the HMSG [Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden] Board of Trustees,” dated May 22, 1985, pp. 5-10, copy in object file. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Board of Trustees unanimously approved the transfer this object to another Smithsonian “bureaux.”
    See also memo titled “Objects for Deaccessioning and Transfer to Freer/Sackler,” from the Curator, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, thru the Director, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, to Doug Robinson, dated January 2, 1987, copy in object file.
    Joseph Herman Hirshhorn (1899-1981) was a financier, philanthropist, and well-known collector of modern art whose gift to the nation of nearly 6,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, and mixed media pieces established his namesake museum on the National Mall. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has been open to the public since October 4, 1974.
    [2] See note 1.
    See also “Custody Receipt,” dated October 23, 1987, copy in object file. The object was transferred from Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for acquisition consideration on October 23, 1987.
    [3] See Arthur M. Sackler, “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approval date is unknown (ca. March-April 1988), copy in object file.
    Research updated October 3, 2023
  • Collection

    National Museum of Asian Art Collection
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981)
    Estate of Joseph H. Hirshhorn
    Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
  • Origin

    Kangra, Himachal Pradesh state, Punjab Hills, India
  • Credit Line

    Transfer from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; Bequest of Joseph H. Hirshhorn to the Smithsonian Institution, 1981
  • Type

    Painting
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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