The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 20, 2025

Krishna Returns with the Cowherds to Braj, from a Bhagavata Purana

c. 1830

Northern India, Uttarakhand, probably Garhwal

Gum tempera and ink on paper
Overall: 22 x 33 cm (8 11/16 x 13 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John D. MacDonald 1971.301
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

On the left the scene of the picnicking herd boys shows them eating rice on banana leaves, while on the right they drive the cows home.

Description

The painting is based on Chapter 14 of Book 10 of the Bhagavata Purana in which the god Brahma hides the cowherds and calves of Krishna. After realizing his mistake and witnessing the divine prowess of Krishna, Brahma extols Krishna and returns to his abode while Krishna and his fellow cowherds enjoy a hearty meal and then return to Braj.
  • -1971
    Mr. and Mrs. John D. MacDonald, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1971-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Leach, Linda York. Indian Miniature Paintings and Drawings. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art in cooperation with Indiana University Press, 1986. Reproduced: Cat. 110
  • Artlens Exhibition 2017. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 24, 2017-May 29, 2019).
    Consuming Passions: The Art of Food and Drink. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 26-October 9, 1983); Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Beachwood, OH (March 3-April 15, 1984).
  • {{cite web|title=Krishna Returns with the Cowherds to Braj, from a Bhagavata Purana|url=false|author=|year=c. 1830|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1971.301