Artwork
Krishna Receives a Flower Garland

Krishna Receives a Flower Garland is an unspecified painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Sitaram. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Krishna, the Hindu deity, as its central subject.
The painting depicts Krishna, the Hindu deity, as its central subject. According to the catalogue record, the work portrays Krishna receiving a flower garland, a motif drawn from the devotional iconography associated with his worship in Vaishnava traditions. The act of offering or receiving a garland (mala) is a recurrent theme in Krishna imagery, signifying devotion, divine love, and the reciprocal exchange between the deity and his devotees.
Held in the Cleveland Museum of Art, the painting by Sitaram, dated 1755, presents Krishna in a moment of sacred interaction that conveys both the sensual and the spiritual dimensions of his cult. The garland functions as a symbol of honor and surrender, marking Krishna as the recipient of veneration while also evoking the pastoral and romantic narratives that surround him in Hindu religious art.
History & Provenance
Krishna Receives a Flower Garland was painted by the Indian artist Sitaram in 1755. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under accession number 1982.65. No earlier ownership or commission details are provided in the available sources.
Krishna Receives a Flower Garland is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under accession number 1982.65.
The painting, created by Sitaram in 1755, is classified as a work of Indian miniature painting.
Its current display is within the museum’s South Asian art galleries, and no exhibition history is documented in the cited references. It is recorded in the museum’s catalogue as a 1755 Indian painting, reflecting the artist’s mature phase.
Overview
This painting, titled Krishna Receives a Flower Garland, was created by the artist Sitaram in 1755. It is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art. The work portrays a narrative scene featuring the deity Krishna, depicted in a moment of interaction with another figure, set against a backdrop that includes architectural elements and natural scenery.
Technique & Style
Sitaram's work from 1755 employs a narrative approach, using distinct architectural forms and figures to convey the story. The vibrant red of the building in the foreground contrasts with its white upper level and the dark sky, drawing attention to the central action. The detailed depiction of the figures and their interaction, along with the surrounding landscape of trees, characterizes the visual storytelling typical of the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Sitaram painted delicate scenes of gods and festivals on paper in 18th-century India.










