Krishna Swims with the Gopis (painting, recto), possibly an illustration from the Bhagavata Purana
mid-19th century
Description
In this painting, the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna swims alongside a group of gopis (milkmaids) in a river. The setting is probably the town of Vrindavan where Krishna spent most of his early adulthood. The painting here seems to illustrate one of the many versions of the episode from the Bhagavata Purana, where Krishna steals the clothing left on the banks of the river by the bathing maidens, and hides the clothes on a tree. Here, he is shown to be teasing the gopis, holding on to one as she tries to playfully get away. The concept of Hindu devotional worship (bhakti) is alluded in the adoring eyes of the other gopis, gazing with warm love-laden eyes, praying for union with Krishna. In the distance, on the left, is a cow shepherd with his cattle; in the center is a priest at a shrine; and in on the right are several women surrounded by piles of laundry. Rajput, Pahari.
Dimensions
23.18 x 16.51 cm (9 1/8 x 6 1/2 in.)
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