This is a pahari style Painting from north India. They had interesting takes on mythology. Like this one of Vishnu literally sitting on a humanoid Garudas shoulders. Who is also walking and not flying. Doubt true falsology will ever use this as a reference anytime soon.. https://twitter.com/tiinexile/status/1299923036435394561

Waiting to be called Marxist in 3..2...1...

Probably pahari painters believed that Vamana was a SI brahmin and painted him dark out of their racism against dravidians. they probably believed Bali was a king and son of gods and painted him white.

Anyway that painting is just 300 yrs old no need to pretend it was the dawn of time. Maybe better question to ask is about the mythology they have lived experience with. Why Garuda is humanoid and walking? Why Vishnu is sitting on his human shoulders eww.