Krishna and Balarama at a Wrestling Match (painting, recto), folio from a Bhagavata Purana series
c. 1760
Description
This painting features an outdoor wrestling ring. On the right is the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna; on the left is his elder half-brother Balarama. The tenth book of the Bhagavata Purana includes episodes from Krishna's early life when the divine prophesied that he would kill his evil uncle Kamsa. Fearing for his life, Kamsa asked his wrestlers, Chanura, Musthika, Shala, and Toshala, to defeat the two boys in a duel. In the painting, we see the four mighty wrestlers slain on the ground while the cowherds celebrate the victory of Krishna and Balarama. On the extreme right, we see Kamsa seated alongside his ministers in a pavilion overlooking the wrestling ground. This folio most likely belonged to a Bhagavata Purana series produced in Guler. There is no text on the verso of this folio. This painting might belong to the same series as 1974.108. Scholars have attributed this painting to the Pahari painter, Manaku of Guler (c. 1700 - 1760 CE). Rajput, Pahari, Guler School.
Dimensions
22.8 x 28.6 cm (9 x 11 1/4 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreInk, colors, and gold on paper
17th-18th centuryIndianInk, colors, and gold on paper
17th-18th centuryIndianInk, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; Deccan Sultanate Style
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor on paper
18th-19th centuryIndianInk, colors, and gold on paper
17th-18th centuryIndianInk, colors, and gold on paper
17th-18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper; Pahari School, Kangra Style
18th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor on paper
18th-19th centuryIndianOpaque watercolor and gold on paper
18th centuryIndianInk, colors, and gold on paper
17th-18th centuryIndianInk, opaque watercolor, gold, and beetle shell on paper
18th centuryIndian