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Krishna and Two Women
ca. 1850-1860Rajput School (1500-1899)
10 7/8 x 12 1/2 in. (27.6 x 31.8 cm)
Indian artist
India
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Object Type:
Painting
Medium and Support:
Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold paint on paper
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Samuel Gould
Accession Number:
1928.440
Location: Not currently on view
Krishna is one of the most popular and revered gods in the Hindu religion, worshipped as the eighth avatar, or incarnation, of the god Vishnu. In art, Krishna, which literally means "black" or "dark as a cloud," is usually portrayed with blue-black skin. As a youth, he appears as the divine lover surrounded by adoring gopis, or female cowherds.
Although Krishna's favorite of his many lovers was the beautiful gopi Radha, he was frequently careless of her affections. This image probably refers to a specific episode in their relationship: Radha, jealous of Krishna's attentions to other gopis, refuses to rejoin him in the forest. Krishna in turn makes an impassioned plea to Radha's friend, who intervenes and encourages their reunion.
The cult of Krishna held as a distinctive trait the exploration of divine and human love. In literature and myth, his youthful flirtations with the gopis are interpreted as symbolic of the loving interplay between God and the human soul.
Although Krishna's favorite of his many lovers was the beautiful gopi Radha, he was frequently careless of her affections. This image probably refers to a specific episode in their relationship: Radha, jealous of Krishna's attentions to other gopis, refuses to rejoin him in the forest. Krishna in turn makes an impassioned plea to Radha's friend, who intervenes and encourages their reunion.
The cult of Krishna held as a distinctive trait the exploration of divine and human love. In literature and myth, his youthful flirtations with the gopis are interpreted as symbolic of the loving interplay between God and the human soul.
Marks
Dealers' numbers on verso
Provenance
Maggs Brothers, London, England; purchased by Mrs. Samuel Gould, Rochester, NY; given to the Gallery in 1928
Keywords
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Additional Images
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Exhibition List
This object was included in the following exhibitions:
- Oriental and European Illuminated Manscripts of the XIII to XVIII Centuries Memorial Art Gallery 10/7/1927 - 11/6/1927
- Indian Miniature Rotation 2006 - 2007 Memorial Art Gallery 5/1/2006 - 5/1/2007
- Courtly Pleasures: Indian Miniature Paintings from the Permanent Collection 9/9/2016 - 12/31/2016
Bibliography
This object has the following bibliographic references:
- Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Memorial Art Gallery. The Bulletin. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery Volume Number: 3, Issue Number: 4. Issue Date: April 1931.
- Article Scope: Mention and reproduction. Annual Report. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery Volume Number: Fifteenth Issue Date: 1928.
Portfolio List
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This object is a member of the following portfolios: