Artwork Page for Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan

Details / Information for Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan

Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan

c. 1780–90

Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Kangra

Medium
gum tempera and gold on paper
Measurements
Image: 20.6 x 14 cm (8 1/8 x 5 1/2 in.); with borders: 21.6 x 15.2 cm (8 1/2 x 6 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 2001.45
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Eyes cover the body of Indra, known as the "Thousand-Eyed One."

Description

Krishna supports Mount Govardhan with nothing but his little finger as he gazes into the eyes of his favorite cowherd girl, Radha, and pats the head of a child. His brother Balarama, with white skin and a blue garment, adds further support with a staff. The cows and members of the herding community all cluster close to Krishna, sheltered from the raging storm sent by Indra riding his white elephant in the sky.
A vertically oriented tempera painting depicts the purple-skinned god Krishna standing centrally, holding a flat mountain on one finger. On our left, women with light skin tones dressed in vibrant saris gaze upward. On our right, men in turbans stand among white, brown, and gray cows. In the upper right, a figure with light skin tone rides a white elephant amidst dark clouds and gold lightning. A decorative floral border frames the scene.

Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan

c. 1780–90

Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Kangra

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