the collector's folio

Manaku Most Popular Paintings

The 13 artworks by Manaku our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 13 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Manaku · 1700 – 1760

Untitled (D2XACE), Manaku

1725 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 57 x 79 cm

Magnificent 1725 miniature painting by manaku depicting a dramatic Hindu myth scene! Intricate details, layered artistry & earthy tones showcase traditional Indian style. A captivating piece for art collectors.

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #1: Untitled (D2XACE)

Art Movement: Traditional Indian Painting
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$28179 × 57 cm Commission at original size

The Monkey Leader Angada Steals Ravana's Crown from His Fortress: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series, Manaku

1725 · British Library, London · original 57 x 84 cm

Magnificent 1725 folio by Manaku depicting Angada stealing Ravana’s crown! A vibrant Pahari miniature painting from the Ramayana series, showcasing dynamic action & rich detail.

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #2: The Monkey Leader Angada Steals Ravana's Crown from His Fortress: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series

Art Movement: Pahari Painting
Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$27737 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$38984 × 57 cm Commission at original size

Krishna and the Cow Herders Return at Cow-dust, Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series

Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge · original 27.4 x 38.2cm

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$45237 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$45338 × 27 cm Commission at original size

Krishna dallying with cowherd maidens by Manaku, 1730

1730 · National Museum, New Delhi · original 20.5 x 31.0cm

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #4: Krishna dallying with cowherd maidens

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$30239 × 25 cm Commission this artwork

Poet Jayadeva is worshipping Radha and Krishna (1730) by Manaku

1730 · National Museum, New Delhi · original 20.0 x 30.0cm

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #5: Poet Jayadeva is worshipping Radha and Krishna

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$22739 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Building the Bridge to Lanka, Manaku

1753 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 22.2 x 33.0cm

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #6: Building the Bridge to Lanka

Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$77738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Vishnu on Garuda Slaying a Demon

1753 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 21.6 x 31.4cm

Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20238 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Mara Bringing the Demons to Life

1753 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 21.6 x 30.8cm

Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$32738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Rama and Lakshmana Overwhelmed by Arrows: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series – Manaku

1725 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #9: Rama and Lakshmana Overwhelmed by Arrows: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series

Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Ravana addresses Sita in the garden of Lanka, from Chapters 53 and 54 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey) by Manaku, 1725

1725 · Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #10: Ravana addresses Sita in the garden of Lanka, from Chapters 53 and 54 of the Aranya Kanda (Book of the Forest) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)

Color Palette: Dark

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$30237 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

South Wind Cools in the Himalayas: Folio from the Second Guler Gita Govinda Series, 1775, Manaku

1775 · original 18 x 27 cm

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #11: South Wind Cools in the Himalayas: Folio from the Second Guler Gita Govinda Series

Color Palette: Neutrals

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Manaku: Indrajit Makes Offerings: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series

1725 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 62 x 83 cm

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #12: Indrajit Makes Offerings: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series

Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29983 × 62 cm Commission at original size

Hiranyakashipu commands his demon warriors to threaten and injure Prahlada. Preparatory drawing from the ‘Small Bhagavata Purana’ Series – Manaku

1740 · original 22 x 32 cm

View the most popular artwork of Manaku ranked #13: Hiranyakashipu commands his demon warriors to threaten and injure Prahlada. Preparatory drawing from the ‘Small Bhagavata Purana’ Series

Color Palette: Monochrome

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 13 artworks by Manaku
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17738 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Manaku

1700 – 1760

Quick facts

Born1700, Guler, India
Works on APS13
Top-ranked workUntitled (D2XACE)
Copyright statusPublic domain
Died1760
Top 3 worksUntitled (D2XACE), The Monkey Leader Angada Steals Ravana's Crown from His Fortress: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series, Krishna and the Cow Herders Return at Cow-dust, Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series
Museums on APSHarvard Art Museums, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, British Library, National Museum

Biography

Manaku: A Rediscovered Master of Pahari Painting

Life and Obscurity

Born around 1700 in Guler, a small hill state in present-day Himachal Pradesh, India.
Died in 1760. His life remains largely shrouded in obscurity, overshadowed by the fame of his younger brother, Nainsukh.
Rediscovery: For centuries, Manaku’s contributions were almost entirely forgotten until art historians like B.N. Goswamy brought his work to light and recognized his significant role in Pahari painting.

Artistic Style and Influences

Pahari Painting: Manaku is now celebrated as a key exponent of the Pahari style, characterized by its delicate brushwork, vibrant colors, and focus on themes from Hindu mythology and courtly life.
Mughal Influence: The art of Guler, and thus Manaku’s work, was significantly influenced by the waning Mughal Empire. Artists migrating from the Mughal courts brought with them techniques and aesthetics that blended with local traditions.
His father, Seu, a prominent artist himself, served as an early mentor, instilling in him foundational skills and artistic principles.

Major Works and Themes

Rama Releases the Demon Spies: (folio from the Siege of Lanka series) – A powerful depiction of a pivotal moment from the Ramayana, showcasing Manaku’s skill in narrative storytelling.
South Wind Cools in the Himalayas: (folio from the Second Guler Gita Govinda series) – Demonstrates his mastery in portraying scenes from the Gita Govinda, a celebrated work of Sanskrit poetry focused on the love between Krishna and Radha.
Hiranyakashipu Commands His Demon Warriors: (preparatory drawing from the ‘Small Bhagavata Purana’ series) – Exemplifies his ability to convey complex narratives with dynamic composition and expressive figures.
His works often feature themes of devotion, heroism, love, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.

Artistic Development & Achievements

Only four extant works bear Manaku’s signature, making each piece exceptionally valuable and insightful into his artistic practice.
Unique Vision: While influenced by Mughal aesthetics, Manaku developed a distinct style characterized by a refined sense of color, delicate detailing, and an ability to capture emotional depth in his figures.
He contributed significantly to the development of Pahari painting, establishing a foundation for future generations of artists in the region.

Historical Significance & Legacy

Manaku’s rediscovery has enriched our understanding of 18th-century Indian art and the vibrant artistic traditions of the Pahari region.
Family Atelier: He was part of a prolific family of artists – the Seu-Manaku-Nainsukh lineage – that played a crucial role in shaping the course of Pahari painting for over 150 years.
His work continues to inspire art enthusiasts and scholars, offering a glimpse into a rich cultural heritage and the artistic brilliance of a previously overlooked master.

Questions & Answers

Where is Manaku from?

Manaku was born in India.

How many artworks by Manaku are available to browse?

You can browse 13 artworks by Manaku on the All Artworks page.

Can I browse Manaku's works by movement?

The movements Manaku worked in can be seen on the artist's All Movements page, which groups the artworks by movement.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Sept. 6, 2026

Collector's quiz

Manaku is primarily associated with which style of painting?
In what region of India did Manaku practice his art?
Manaku's rediscovery as a significant artist is largely attributed to the work of which art historian?
Manaku frequently depicted scenes from what two major Hindu texts in his paintings?
Who was Manaku's younger brother, also a renowned painter?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your Manaku

Every artwork by Manaku in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by Manaku