Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series
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Object Label
This is a page from a manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana, a lengthy Hindu scripture dedicated to the god Krishna, who is said to have lived on earth as a prince. The episode has not been firmly identified, but it depicts a city being besieged by demons. The artist employed a clever device to illustrate the siege with an economy of means, floating the crenellated square of the city walls in space so we can see that it is surrounded on all sides. At either end we see multistoried urban buildings populated by demons (in the upper left unit) and regular people, including a family at the upper right and a woman worshipping a small image of a goddess at the lower left. The compartmentalization and inventive abstraction of this image are both typical of paintings made in Central India, in a region once known as Malwa.
Caption
Indian. Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series, ca. 1610–1650. Opaque watercolor on paper, 9 x 14 in. (22.9 x 35.6 cm) Other: 8 1/2 x 13 1/2in. (21.6 x 34.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Walzer, 84.206.1. No known copyright restrictions (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.206.1_IMLS_PS4.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Page from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series
Date
ca. 1610–1650
Geography
Place made: Central region, Rajasthan, India
Medium
Opaque watercolor on paper
Classification
Dimensions
9 x 14 in. (22.9 x 35.6 cm) Other: 8 1/2 x 13 1/2in. (21.6 x 34.3cm)
Inscriptions
Verso, in Braj, in black ink, in Devanagari script: ...The Lord [Krishna] was conceived by Devaki. At the same time her co-wife also conceived and they both went through feelings of fear, joy, and sadness.... For the welfare of Jadu lineage, the Almighty switched himself with Jogamaya. He frightened and killed Mu[?]shtika, Vrishvasura, Banasura, and the demoness Putana. He went to Mathura, returning to his natural parents, who became very happy. Their sadness was gone forever. The kings of Panchala, Kosala, Salva, and Vidarbha, along with the son of the demon Dhenuka, joined together to threaten Mathura. Their joint attempt to burn the city was foiled by Hari [Krishna], the cloud complexioned boy.... (Trans. S. Mitra)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Walzer
Accession Number
84.206.1
Rights
No known copyright restrictions
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