The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 11, 2024

Khadgaroma, Son of Ravana

Khadgaroma, Son of Ravana

c. 1720
Gum tempera, ink, and hand-colored silver paper appliqué on paper
Overall: 39.7 x 27.6 cm (15 5/8 x 10 7/8 in.)
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2001.163
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The silver appliqué, which was likely mixed with the yellow pigment gamboge, imitates gold.

Description

Blades fan around the figure of this demon, illustrating the meaning of his name: he whose “body hair is swords.” To further emphasize his favorite weapon, he clutches a broad curving sword in his right hand. The inscription at the bottom identifies him by name in the local language of Telugu, but a section has been pasted upside down, indicating that the owner of this page did not read the script. The inscription has been translated into French at the top. Territories in southern India were under French colonial control from 1692 to 1761.
  • ?–2001
    William E. Ward [1922–2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2001–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Imagining Rama's Journey (Indian Painting rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 10-September 17, 2023).
  • {{cite web|title=Khadgaroma, Son of Ravana|url=false|author=|year=c. 1720|access-date=11 May 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2001.163