Detail: Among the themes most favored for Indian miniature painting are episodes from the great Indian epic the Ramayama. This classic of early Indian literature is infused with mythology and the legendary exploits of the gods, but above all tells the story of Lord Vishnu in his earthly appearance as Rama, a divine-king revered as the embodiment of nobility and virtue. The mythology of Rama provides the subject matter for an important genre of Indian paintings, and a selection of such works will be exhibited here, along with sculptures and a newly acquired spectacular painted cotton textile depicting a scene from the epic.