The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 18, 2025
Krishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and Devaki, from the “Vertical” Bhagavata Purana
c. 1700–1725
Page: 28.5 x 21.6 cm (11 1/4 x 8 1/2 in.); Image: 24.3 x 16.5 cm (9 9/16 x 6 1/2 in.)
Location: Not on view
Did You Know?
Krishna and Balarama wear a ring of bells on each foot.Description
This intensely emotional scene depicts the reunion of the blue-skinned god Krishna with his parents for the first time since the night of his birth. The stark white expanse of wall that fills most of the composition evokes the desolate years of separation during which time his parents were in prison. According to the story, Krishna and his half-brother, the white-skinned Balarama, have just slain a wicked king and freed his parents. Nevertheless, they all wear fine garments and ornaments. The artist elected to emphasize the appearance of good fortune over realism, signaling to the viewer that this is a happy reunion.- ?–2018Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Beverly Hills, CA, partial sale and gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art2018–The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Indian Gallery 242 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (September 10, 2018-April 7, 2019).
- {{cite web|title=Krishna and Balarama touching the feet of Vasudeva and Devaki, from the “Vertical” Bhagavata Purana|url=false|author=|year=c. 1700–1725|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.85