Krishna and Radha
Indian
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
Krishna is an avatar (earthly manifestation) of the blue god Vishnu. He lived the early part of his life among cowherds in the countryside. Although this image places him in a sumptuous setting, he still holds the long, narrow flute that he played in the pastures.
Gods are often worshipped together with their goddess consorts. Krishna’s female partner is Radha, whom some traditions treat as an avatar of Vishnu’s consort, Lakshmi.
Gods are often worshipped together with their goddess consorts. Krishna’s female partner is Radha, whom some traditions treat as an avatar of Vishnu’s consort, Lakshmi.
Caption
Indian. Krishna and Radha, ca. 1690–1700. Opaque watercolor with embossed gold on paper, sheet: 10 1/8 x 7 in. (25.7 x 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, 37.122. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Krishna and Radha
Date
ca. 1690–1700
Geography
Place made: Punjab Hills, India
Medium
Opaque watercolor with embossed gold on paper
Classification
Dimensions
sheet: 10 1/8 x 7 in. (25.7 x 17.8 cm)
Inscriptions
On reverse: Old Bahi account page
Credit Line
Brooklyn Museum Collection
Accession Number
37.122
Frequent Art Questions
Why is the color blue particularly important for representing gods in Hindu art ? Why not yellow or green? Are other colors associated with something else? Cheers- Claudia from Germany.
Many Hindu gods are blue, including Vishnu in several of his forms. This is the color he has traditionally been described as in Hindu texts. Some scholars believe that the color is a reference to his home above the clouds. His blue skin could also reference a primordial ocean similarly linked textually to Vishnu, which existed before the gods are said to have created land and the creatures who live on it. Some of the other blue deities you see in Hinduism are actually earthly avatars of Vishnu, and are blue because they are part of the same god. However, this is not true of all blue Hindu gods.Thanks a lot, this service is great!
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at