Krishna and Radha with Their Confidantes: Page from a Dispersed Gita Govinda

ca. 1655–60

Not on view

Early Indian paintings are often divided into multiple registers in which successive episodes of a story are related. Above, Krishna holds his hand in a gesture of exposition while Radha gazes on in erotic expectation. Below, an open garlanded bower anticipates their tryst and alludes to the sexual tension generated by Krishna’s seduction of Radha, described in the associated passage of the Gita Govinda. This work, while based on earlier paintings by the artist Sahibdin, was probably produced in Manohar’s workshop. It is characterized by a bolder but perhaps less refined style.

Artwork Details

Title: Krishna and Radha with Their Confidantes: Page from a Dispersed Gita Govinda
Artist: Style of Manohar (active ca. 1582–1624)
Date: ca. 1655–60
Culture: India (Rajasthan, Mewar)
Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions: Image: 9 1/8 × 7 1/4 in. (23.2 × 18.4 cm)
Sheet: 10 1/4 × 8 3/8 in. (26 × 21.3 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 1985
Object Number: 1985.398.12
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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