Balarama under worship

India, Uttar Pradesh, probably Awadh (Oudh)

ca. 1800

Not on view

This painting celebrates Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, under worship as Dauji Maharaj in a temple dedicated to him in the small town of Baldeo, near Mathura, in northern India. The black marble image, standing eight feet high, was reputedly discovered in a tank in 1535 and a temple erected for its worship. In all respects the painting mirrors the image under worship. Paintings of devotional icons can serve a surrogate function for devotees and hold a special interest as they open a window onto the most intimate and private spaces of Hindu temple, the sanctum sanctorum (Skt. garbhagriha; lit. womb chamber) where the principal icon is housed and which devotees only ever glimpse momentarily through half-open doors.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Balarama under worship
Date: ca. 1800
Culture: India, Uttar Pradesh, probably Awadh (Oudh)
Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions: Image: 13 13/16 × 9 15/16 in. (35.1 × 25.3 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Purchase, Tommy Yang Guo Gift, 2022
Object Number: 2022.306
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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