Artwork
Yashoda and Krishna
Yashoda and Krishna is a paint painting by the Bengal School artist Jamini Roy. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This painting depicts a scene from Hindu mythology, featuring Yashoda holding the infant Krishna.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts a scene from Hindu mythology, featuring Yashoda holding the infant Krishna. Characteristic of Jamini Roy's style, the figures have large eyes and bold outlines, with flat, vibrant colors dominating the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates a tender moment between Yashoda, Krishna's foster-mother, and the blue-skinned infant Krishna, drawing parallels with Western Madonna and Child depictions. The scene conveys maternal affection within a mythological context.
Technique & Style
Jamini Roy employed his distinctive style, marked by bold lines, flat colors, and enlarged eyes. The painting utilizes indigenous materials, including lamp black, organic tempera, and earth pigments on homemade canvas. A small alpana-style sun motif in the top right corner serves as a signature element.
History & Provenance
Created by Jamini Roy (1887-1972), a pivotal figure in modern Indian art, this work falls within his Hindu mythological theme series. Roy's approach blended folk traditions of rural Bengal with a unique, simplified aesthetic.
Context
This painting reflects Roy's inspiration from rural Bengal's folk and popular traditions, as well as his departure from Western artistic techniques like shading, instead opting for flat, bright visuals reminiscent of village scroll paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jamini Roy was an Indian painter. He was honoured by the Government of India the award of Padma Bhushan in 1954. He remains one of the most famous pupils of Abanindranath Tagore, another praised Indian artist and…
