AN ILLUSTRATION FROM A RAMAYANA SERIES: RAMA FORGIVING SITA AFTER THE FIRE TEST
Possibly Kangra, Pahari Provincial School, Northern India, 19th century

Opaque pigments and gold on paper, the vertical composition depicting Rama blessing the prostrated Sita after having survived and passed the fire test, the two main characters surrounded by Lakshmana and several pundits, some pouring blessed water over Sita from conch shells, the lush nature around them in full bloom with pink and white flowers, possibly an allusion to Sita's purity and loyalty to Rama, the recto plain, 21.5cm x 16.5cm.