Krishna and Balarama Seated Beneath an Awning (painting, recto), from a Bhagavata Purana series

ManuscriptsIndian19th century

Krishna and Balarama Seated Beneath an Awning (painting, recto), from a Bhagavata Purana series

c. 1820

Description

The painting depicts the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna seated on an enclosed outdoor terrace under an awning. He faces his elder half-brother, Balarama, identified by the caption above his head. Both are crowned and rest against large fabric bolsters. On either side of the awning is a male attendant carrying a fly-whisk made of peacock feathers. This folio most likely belonged to a Bhagavata Purana series produced in the Pahari region of Northern India. Other folios from the same Bhagavata Purana series in the Harvard Art Museum’s collection are objects 2001.335, 2001.336, 2001.337. Rajput, Pahari.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, gold and graphite on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art

Dimensions

21.3 x 28.6 cm (8 3/8 x 11 1/4 in.)

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Krishna and Balarama Seated Beneath an Awning (painting, recto), from a Bhagavata Purana series | Harvard Art Museums | KenAI