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Head of Krishna: cartoon for a mural of the Raslila

Attributed to Sahib Ram
ca. 1800
Not on view
This drawing is thought to have been a preparatory study for a mural. Although it first served as a pounce— its lines were pricked with tiny holes to allow the image to be transferred to a wall—it was later reworked into a finished drawing by Sahib Ram, who strengthened its outlines, whited out areas he wished to change, and brushed Krishna’s skin and clothing with luminous washes of watercolor. The drawing is based on an earlier work by the artist Sahib Ram that shows a dancing girl dressed as Krishna.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Head of Krishna: cartoon for a mural of the Raslila
  • Artist: Attributed to Sahib Ram (active 1778–1803)
  • Date: ca. 1800
  • Culture: India (Rajasthan, Jaipur)
  • Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: 27 1/4 × 18 1/2 in. (69.2 × 47 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
  • Object Number: 18.85.2
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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Singer and Sarinda Player, Sahib Ram, Ink on paper, India (Rajasthan, Jaipur)
Singer and Sarinda Player
Sahib Ram
ca. 1800
Maharaja Pratap Singh, Sahib Ram, Opaque watercolor on paper, India, Rajasthan, Jaipur
On loan to The Met
Maharaja Pratap Singh
Sahib Ram
ca. 1790
Maharana Sangram Singh Riding a Prize Stallion, Stipple Master Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and Basra pearls on paper, India (Rajasthan, Mewar)
Maharana Sangram Singh Riding a Prize Stallion
Stipple Master
Jai Ram
ca. 1712
Maharana Sarup Singh Inspects a Prize Stallion, Tara, Opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper, Western India, Rajasthan, Mewar
Maharana Sarup Singh Inspects a Prize Stallion
Tara
1845–46
A Lady Playing the Tanpura, Ink, opaque and transparent watercolor, and gold on paper, India (Rajasthan, Kishangarh)
A Lady Playing the Tanpura
India (Rajasthan, Kishangarh)
ca. 1735

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