Artwork Page for Krishna summoning the cows

Details / Information for Krishna summoning the cows

Krishna summoning the cows

c. 1780–90

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Overall: 24.3 x 27 cm (9 9/16 x 10 5/8 in.); with borders: 25.1 x 30.5 cm (9 7/8 x 12 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Mrs. Severance A. Millikin 1989.339
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

The river Jamma, also known as the Yamuna or Jumna, flows across the foreground.

Description

As a child, Krishna grew up in a community of cow herders. He is distinguished as supernatural by his blue-colored skin and his ability to mystically draw the cows to the sound of his flute. His brother, Balarama, has white skin and wears the herdsmen’s cloak over his head and carries a red herding staff.
A horizontally oriented gum tempera and ink painting depicts blue-skinned Krishna centered between slender trees, playing a flute. He is surrounded by a dense herd of cows in pink, white, gray, and black. To the left, two herders stand amidst leafy trees on rolling green hills. Above, a dark gray sky crackles with gold lightning bolts. A thin stream flows along the bottom edge, where more cows wade through the water.

Krishna summoning the cows

c. 1780–90

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

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