Ghasiram Hardev Sharma (1869-1931) is perhaps best remembered for having revolutionized the traditional Nathdwara school of painting. Ghasiram began his career as an artist studying miniature painting in Udaipur and returned to his family’s town in Nathdwara where he rose to mukhiya, or chief painter of the Pushtimarg painting tradition. During his tenure as mukhiya, Ghasiram maintained his duties in producing traditional pichhvai and miniature paintings, but also began to experiment with European styles, hyperrealism, and photographic mixed media. His innovations changed the landscape of artistic production in Nathdwara in the twentieth century, and inspired many of his successors to expand on his developments.
This painting, an illustration to a Ramayana series, was possibly completed during the artist’s time in Udaipur. The complex architectural landscape, reminiscent of the Udaipur city palalce, speaks to his precision and mastery as a painter. In the upper scene, the blue-skinned Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana bid farewell to the distraught King Dasharatha. Below, the three are celebrated as they depart the city gates on foot after humbly denying a chariot escort.
Additional works by Ghasiram are illustrated by M. Ghose in Gates of the Lord: The Tradition of Krishna Painting, Chicago, 2015, pp. 58-59, 156-157, cats. 98-100.