"Balarama and Krishna Fighting the Enemy", Folio from a Harivamsa (The Legend of Hari (Krishna))
The Harivamsa recounts the story of Krishna, one of the incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu. In this battle scene, Krishna, dressed in yellow and holding his discus, stands atop a mountain. Carrying his own attributes of the plow and pestle, Krishna’s older brother Balarama strikes a soldier of the opposing army. This manuscript, commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1606), is one of many examples of Hindu texts that were translated and illustrated during Akbar’s reign, as the Emperor took a keen interest in the traditions and stories of other religious groups in India, founding a translation center to facilitate the spread of knowledge.
Artwork Details
- Title: "Balarama and Krishna Fighting the Enemy", Folio from a Harivamsa (The Legend of Hari (Krishna))
- Date: ca. 1590–95
- Geography: Attributed to present-day Pakistan, probably Lahore
- Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
- Dimensions: Image: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm)
W. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
Page: H. 13 3/4 in. (34.9 cm)
W. 9 1/8 in. (23.2 cm)
Mat: H. 19 1/4 in. (48.9 cm)
W. 14 1/4 in. (36.2 cm) - Classification: Codices
- Credit Line: Purchase, Edward C. Moore Jr. Gift, 1928
- Object Number: 28.63.2
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
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ca. 1590–95
ca. 1590–95
ca. 1590–95
ca. 1885
dated 531 AH/1137 CE
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