Artwork Page for Krishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and Devaki, from the “Vertical” Bhagavata Purana

Details / Information for Krishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and Devaki, from the “Vertical” Bhagavata Purana

Krishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and Devaki, from the “Vertical” Bhagavata Purana

c. 1700–1725

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

Medium
Gum tempera, gold, and silver on paper
Measurements
Page: 28.5 x 21.6 cm (11 1/4 x 8 1/2 in.); Image: 24.3 x 16.5 cm (9 9/16 x 6 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.85
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Krishna and Balarama wear a ring of bells on each foot.

Description

This intensely emotional scene depicts the reunion of the blue-skinned god Krishna with his parents for the first time since the night of his birth. The stark white expanse of wall that fills most of the composition evokes the desolate years of separation during which time his parents were in prison. According to the story, Krishna and his half-brother, the white-skinned Balarama, have just slain a wicked king and freed his parents. Nevertheless, they all wear fine garments and ornaments. The artist elected to emphasize the appearance of good fortune over realism, signaling to the viewer that this is a happy reunion.
A vertical painting with an orange border depicts four figures against yellow and white architecture. In the lower center, a man with blue skin bows, touching the feet of a man with light skin tone in a lavender robe. To their left, a woman in a red sari sits watching. On our right, a person with white skin stands with hands pressed together. White script lines the top above two small white domes.

Krishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and Devaki, from the “Vertical” Bhagavata Purana

c. 1700–1725

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

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