Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford, located in Oxford, United Kingdom.
The painting captures a courtyard filled with people and animals. Some individuals are talking others are. Some are sitting. The variety in their poses gives the scene an active feel. The bright clothing, animals and buildings make the artwork visually rich and engaging. At the bottom of the painting two goats add a touch of realism. Connect the scene to everyday life. The artist has included meaningful details in the clothing, facial features and objects held by the figures. The surrounding buildings are richly decorated with pillars, balconies, windows and a covered section. In the right corner a large blue carpet with intricate floral designs stands out. The colors red orange, blue, white and green work together creating a strong visual contrast. Trees and greenery can be seen behind the buildings adding depth and a sense of nature. An important element is the inscription at the bottom of the painting, which links the image to the literary traditions of the time. The artwork measures 40.2 x 27.6 cm in height and width. The page size is 30.5 x 17 cm. The painting with the border is 22 x 13.4 cm. Without the border it is 21.5 x 12.6 cm. The artist is Fattu, who was active, around 1598. The work is dated 1598. Is made using gouache and gold on paper. It is currently held at the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford in the UK. The accession number is EA1978.2590. It is part of the museum’s research collection.
The painting depicts a tense moment from the Mahabharata where Lord Krishna intervenes to prevent Arjuna from killing Yudhisthira after a bitter dispute, using philosophical wisdom to substitute verbal insults for bloodshed . The artwork captures the immediate aftermath where Krishna reconciles the grieving brothers, guiding them to seek forgiveness and embrace so they can refocus on the impending war.
