The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 14, 2025

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva

c. 1680

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Mewar

Gum tempera and gold on paper
Overall: 21.3 x 25.3 cm (8 3/8 x 9 15/16 in.)
Gift of John D. Proctor 1990.41
Location: Not on view

Description

The artist has depicted Krishna’s favorite lover, Radha, six times to emphasize her agitation while she waits for Krishna. She has made intimate enclosures of flowering branches for their tryst, she pleads with a picture of him, and she lays out blossoms and liquor under a tree in preparation. Her confidante makes an appeal to Krishna who sits under a tree at right, seemingly unmoved and dispassionate.

The viewer is meant to put oneself in the place of Radha, and feel her intense longing for Krishna. Even when it seems like the god does not come when he promises, that he does not care, the devotee, like Radha, should continue to wait and prepare to receive him.
  • by 1975
    George Bickford [1901–1991], Cleveland Heights, OH
    ?–1990
    John D. Proctor, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1990–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Czuma, Stanislaw J. Indian Art from the George P. Bickford Collection: Catalog. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1975. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 61
  • Supernatural Love - Indian Gallery 242 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (April 1-September 9, 2019).
    Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 4-August 5, 2003).
    Indian Art from the George P. Bickford Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (January 14-February 16, 1975).
    CMA, 1975: Indian Art from the George P. Bickford Collection," cat. no 61, reproduced color.
    Krishna-Mandala. University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, MI (August 2-September 27, 1970).
  • {{cite web|title=Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva|url=false|author=|year=c. 1680|access-date=14 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1990.41