The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 16, 2026

A vertically oriented tempera painting depicts blue-skinned Krishna and light-toned Radha in an open pavilion. Wearing a gold crown and translucent floral wrap, Krishna faces Radha as she gestures with one finger. Behind them, a dark blue night sky frames a white-domed building with turrets. To the left, flowering trees rise behind a pink wall. A yellow band of script crowns the scene above the colorful, tile-patterned floor.

Krishna and Radha Quarreling: Shatha Nayaka, from a Rasikapriya

c. 1680

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Bundi

Gum tempera and gold on paper
Page: 28.3 x 18.4 cm (11 1/8 x 7 1/4 in.); Miniature: 26.4 x 15.3 cm (10 3/8 x 6 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.158
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Krishna wears a transparent white muslin jama, a popular article of Mughal fashion since the time of Emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–27).

Description

When Krishna returns home at dawn, having spent the night elsewhere, an infuriated Radha inquires about his whereabouts and accuses him of infidelity. Krishna, realizing the intensity of the situation, tries to assuage her with sweet words and compares her red eyes to lotus petals. The rising sun behind the thick foliage is suggestive of early dawn.
  • Supernatural Love - Indian Gallery 242 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (April 1-September 9, 2019).
  • {{cite web|title=Krishna and Radha Quarreling: Shatha Nayaka, from a Rasikapriya|url=false|author=|year=c. 1680|access-date=16 May 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.158