The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of June 6, 2023

Krishna Vanquishing the Crane-Demon Bakasura

late 1700s

This object has related works. See Krishna Stealing Curds

Southern India, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati

Gum tempera and gold on paper

Overall: 27.8 x 19.7 cm (10 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.)

John L. Severance Fund 1966.29

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

The true form of the crane-demon tumbles out from the backside of the distressed bird.

Description

The Hindu god Vishnu incarnated himself as Krishna in response to pleadings from the Earth goddess to rid her of a wicked king. The king sent demons of many forms to assassinate Krishna, who effortlessly destroyed them. The South Indian artist effectively used a diagonal composition to show the cause and effect of Krishna’s assault and the fall of the defeated demon.

Provenance
?–1966
(J.J. Klejman [1906–1995], New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
1966–
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Leach, Linda York. Indian Miniature Paintings and Drawings. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art in cooperation with Indiana University Press, 1986. cat. no. 101ii
Exhibition history

Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 4–August 5, 2003).

Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (August 18, 2004–May 23, 2005).

Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 1, 2021-February 6, 2022).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1966.29