Folio from a Bhagavata Purana series
These two large format folios are from an important series of paintings illustrating seminal moments in the exploits of the young Krishna, as described in Book Ten of the Hindu epic the Bhagavata Purana. The large format is uncharacteristic of Nepali painting and can be attributed to the influence of Indian, probably Rajput, court painting styles. The rulers of 18th century Nepal claimed Rajput ancestry and their court culture emulated much that was understood as Rajput. This painting is part of an ambitious series numbering around 100 folios, now dispersed, which all display the same dimensions, the distinctive red border and the aerial perspectives onto complex architectural constructions, features shared with the later court painting of Udaipur.
Folio I. Scene depicts Pradyumna (nee Kama, god of love), the son of Krishna and Rukmini, who had been kidnapped by a demon soon after his birth. As a young man Pradyumna finally defeats the demon with the assistance of Rati and her magical powers. They marry and together return to his ancestral palace of Dwarka, the setting of this narrative.
Folio II This scene depict Krishna setting off by carriage on a hunting expedition with Arjuna, having departed Indraprastha palace, the home of the Pandava clan, and about to enter a wondrous forested mountain landscape populated by wild animals.
Folio I. Scene depicts Pradyumna (nee Kama, god of love), the son of Krishna and Rukmini, who had been kidnapped by a demon soon after his birth. As a young man Pradyumna finally defeats the demon with the assistance of Rati and her magical powers. They marry and together return to his ancestral palace of Dwarka, the setting of this narrative.
Folio II This scene depict Krishna setting off by carriage on a hunting expedition with Arjuna, having departed Indraprastha palace, the home of the Pandava clan, and about to enter a wondrous forested mountain landscape populated by wild animals.
Artwork Details
- Title: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana series
- Period: Shah period (1768–2008)
- Date: ca. 1775–1800
- Culture: Nepal
- Medium: Watercolor and ink on paper
- Dimensions: Sheet: 14 3/8 × 20 1/2 in. (36.5 × 52 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2019
- Object Number: 2019.64
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Nepal
ca. 1100
Nepal
dated 1510–19
Nepal
late 11th–early 12th century
Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
1575–1600
Kitaharasa
likely 1379
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.