Krishna and Balarama depart Vrindavan

This early lithograph depicts a passage from the Bhagavata Purana, which recounts the youthful exploits of Krishna. Krishna is shown departing from his adopted home village of Vrindavan to journey to Mathura, where he will slay his evil uncle, the usurper King Kamsa. Krishna was much beloved by the village women; they lament his departure. Becharam Das Dutta, who was active in Kolkata in the 1850s, is the earliest lithographic artist known by name. His work represents a moment of transition from Kalighat paintings to lithography. The print is signed in a cartouche beneath the chariot’s wheels, which also provides a date, equivalent to October 2, 1856. This is one of the earliest known Indian lithographic prints, first recorded in an album from the mid-nineteenth century.