Krishna massaging the feet of Radha (a scene from the Gita Govinda?) / Artist Unknown, India, Punjab Hills, Mankot School

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Record Details

Accession Number
1979/1.160
Title
Krishna massaging the feet of Radha (a scene from the Gita Govinda?)
Artist Nationality
Indian
Object Creation Date
circa 1730
Object Creation Place
Asia (continent)
India (nation)
Creation Place 1
Asia (continent)
Creation Place 2
India (nation)
Style/Group/Movement
Rajput/Pahari
Dimensions
26.7 cm x 20.3 cm (10 1/2 in. x 8 in.)
Century
18th century
Primary Object Classification
Painting
Primary Object Type
album leaf
Physical Description
Bold colors depict Krishna, one of human manifestations of the Hindu god Vishnu, is seated with a woman, Radha, above him. He touches her leg, and the tips of her hands and feet glow red. She sits erect and holds a large flower, looking straight off the left edge of the picture. The two are framed in an architectural structure.
Subject Matter
Krishna, the cowherd of Vrindavan, was one of human manifestations of the Hindu god Vishnu. Precocious and naughty as a child, he grew to overcome many obstacles and conquer ferocious demons to save himself and his tribe. The love affair between Krishna and his favorite gopi (cowgirl), Radha, is a common theme in north Indian painting. Their passionate relationship is a metaphor for the unquenchable love of the soul for the supreme god. As seen here, it is not always Radha who is in a subservient position in this love affair: often Radha is proud and aloof, and it is Krishna who is the ardent wooer.
The bold design, intense color, and jewel-encrusted effect (accomplished by the use of beetle thorax casings) are all characteristic of hill painting of the early eighteenth century—as is the stirring combination of fiery passion and dignified reserve.
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Technical Details

Image Size
845 x 1121
File Size
99 KB
Record
1979/1.160
Link to this Item
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1979-sl-1.160/1979_1.160.jpg

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"Krishna massaging the feet of Radha (a scene from the Gita Govinda?); Artist Unknown, India, Punjab Hills, Mankot School." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1979-sl-1.160/1979_1.160.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 28, 2024.
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