ManuscriptsIndian19th century

Episodes from the Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini (painting, recto); Battle scene from the Marriage of Krishna and Rukmini (painting, verso), folios from a Bhagavata Purana series

mid 19th century

Description

This two-sided manuscript folio, where the text is interpolated with images, depicts episodes from the marriage of Krishna and Rukmini. At Rukmini’s request, Krishna kidnaps and elopes with her to prevent an unwanted marriage with the evil king Shishupala, who is also Krishna’s cousin. Later, Rukmini becomes Krishna's principal wife and queen. At least four folios were attached together at a later time to make it an elongated size folio, and all four folios belong to the same manuscript of the tenth book of the Bhagavata Purana. The text here seems to have been drawn from various different versions of the Bhagavata Purana text. Rajput, Rajasthani, Kishangarh School.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Opaque watercolor on paper

Culture

Indian

Century

19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art