Bhima Slays Jarasandha: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript

ca. 1540

Not on view

This painting is from a series illustrating climactic moments in Book 10 of the Bhagavata Purana, which celebrates the exploits of the young Krishna. The composition depicts Bhima slaying the evil ruler of Magadha, King Jarasandha, who is torn apart in a wrestling match, witnessed by Krishna. The work belongs to one of the earliest known Sultanate-period illustrated Hindu manuscripts, distinguished by the use of intense flat color and a distinctive figure-type with wondrous pronounced eyes.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Bhima Slays Jarasandha: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript
Date: ca. 1540
Culture: Northern India, Delhi or Agra region
Medium: Opaque watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions: 6 3/4 x 9 1/16 in. (17.1 x 23 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 1985
Object Number: 1985.398.16
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

The Gopis Plead with Krishna to Return Their Clothing: Folio from "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana, Master of the "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana, Opaque watercolor and ink on paper, North India (Delhi -Agra area) — The Gopis Plead with Krishna to Return Their Clothing: Folio from "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana
Master of the "Isarda" Bhagavata Purana
ca. 1560–65

Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript, Opaque watercolor and ink on paper, Northern India, Delhi or Agra region — Krishna Battles the Armies of the Demon Naraka: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Manuscript
Northern India, Delhi or Agra region
ca. 1540

Devananda's Fourteen Auspicious Dreams Foretelling the Birth of Mahavira: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript, Master of the Jaunpur Kalpasutra Indian, Opaque watercolor on paper, India, (Gujarat, Jaunpur) — Devananda's Fourteen Auspicious Dreams Foretelling the Birth of Mahavira: Folio from a Kalpasutra Manuscript
Master of the Jaunpur Kalpasutra
ca. 1465

Sadaksari-Lokeshvara Surrounded by Manifestations and Monks, Distemper, gold and ink on cloth, Tibet — Sadaksari-Lokeshvara Surrounded by Manifestations and Monks
Tibet
late 15th century

The Sixteen Luohans, Wu Bin Chinese, Handscroll; ink and color on paper, China — The Sixteen Luohans
Wu Bin
dated 1591

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.