Collection
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Asian Art

Krishna and Balarama on Their way to Mathura, Folio from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series

Indian

1 of 4

Object Label

This is an illustration from the Bhagavata Purana, a lengthy Hindu scripture dedicated to the god Krishna, who is said to have lived on earth as a prince. It depicts an episode from Krishna’s youth, much of which was spent in hiding in the cowherding community of Vrindavan. Eventually he had to leave this idyllic rural setting and return to his family’s kingdom at Mathura, where his evil uncle was ruling unjustly. Krishna (with blue skin) is shown here at the far right with his brother, Balarama (with white skin), riding an oxcart on their way to Mathura. They are accompanied by a group of devotees and along the way encounter religious ascetics, some of whom are bathing in the river.

Caption

Indian. Krishna and Balarama on Their way to Mathura, Folio from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series, ca. 1725. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, sheet: 9 1/2 x 12 in. (24.1 x 30.5 cm) image: 8 x 10 5/8 in. (20.3 x 27.0 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim, 69.125.4. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

Asian Art

Culture

Indian

Title

Krishna and Balarama on Their way to Mathura, Folio from a Dispersed Bhagavata Purana Series

Date

ca. 1725

Geography

Place made: Punjab Hills, India

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Classification

Painting

Dimensions

sheet: 9 1/2 x 12 in. (24.1 x 30.5 cm) image: 8 x 10 5/8 in. (20.3 x 27.0 cm)

Inscriptions

On reverse: The cowherds became amused (or, inquisitive?) Accompanied by (cowherds) they (Balarama and Krishna) went to Ambikavan. To the Lord. . . .They worshipped the Devi who is the mistress of Ambikavan with great devotion. Passage is numbered 77. From catalogue: Verso, at center, near lower edge, in black ink, in Devanagari script: 77

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim

Accession Number

69.125.4

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Artists and makers

Indian

312 works in the collection