The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Head Priest Govardhan Lalji (1862–1934) Offers a Lamp to Shri Nathji in Celebration of the Spring Festival

Head Priest Govardhan Lalji (1862–1934) Offers a Lamp to Shri Nathji in Celebration of the Spring Festival

c. 1890
(Indian, 1869–1931)
India, Nathdwara
Gum tempera and gold on paper
Page: 28.6 x 21.9 cm (11 1/4 x 8 5/8 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.153
Location: not on view

Description

The artist has faithfully portrayed the dark stone sculpture of Shri Nathji with its monolithic rectangular slab depicting stylized rocks and wild inhabitants in low relief. The image of the sculpture contrasts with the surrounding pale hues, notably the pink created by a new synthetic pigment imported from Europe.

Govardhan Lalji is a priest descended from the founder of the Pushti Marg sect, Vallabha, who ministers to the elaborate devotions and daily activities of Shri Nathji.
  • ?–2004
    (Terence McInerney, New York, NY, sold to Catherine Glynn Benkaim)
    2004–2018
    Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Beverly Hills, CA, partial sale and gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2018–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Krishna and the Path of Grace – Indian Gallery 242 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 14, 2020-March 7, 2021).
  • {{cite web|title=Head Priest Govardhan Lalji (1862–1934) Offers a Lamp to Shri Nathji in Celebration of the Spring Festival|url=false|author=Ghasiram Hardev Sharma|year=c. 1890|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.153