Battle of Ravana and Jatayu, from Chapters 50 and 51 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of Valmiki's Ramayana (Rama’s Journey); folio from the "Burnt" Ramayanac. 1605 · Study 2013.306

Context from the museum

The vulture Jatayu, Lord of the Birds, his beak agape, loses feathers and dark red blood in his desperate fight to save Sita from her kidnapper, the ten-headed Ravana. Since this painting was damaged by fire in India decades ago, Sita is barely visible now at the bottom right corner, in Ravana’s donkey-led chariot. Her expression is pensive, as she awaits her fate. In adherence to the Ramayana text written on the back of the painting, the donkeys were the first victims in the battle that will claim Jatayu’s life.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

This page is from a series known as the “Burnt Ramayana ,” since it was damaged by fire.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for Battle of Ravana and Jatayu, from Chapters 50 and 51 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of Valmiki's Ramayana (Rama’s Journey); folio from the "Burnt" Ramayana is 15.6 cm wide and 26.1 cm high, equivalent to approximately 6.1 × 10.3 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.60:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.04 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 5.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 142.2 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Battle of Ravana and Jatayu, from Chapters 50 and 51 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of Valmiki's Ramayana (Rama’s Journey); folio from the "Burnt" Ramayana in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera and ink on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 15.6 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?