Artifact World Gallery
Get the iOS app

Artwork

A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana

A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana, unspecified, 1655
A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana, unspecified, 1655

A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

In the composition Krishna is identified by his dark skin, crown and flute, while the Brahmin holds a scroll or fan signifying the royal summons.

The scene shows a Brahmin messenger presenting Krishna’s formal invitation to Rukmini for the competition at her svayamvara, an episode drawn from the Bhagavata Purana. In the composition Krishna is identified by his dark skin, crown and flute, while the Brahmin holds a scroll or fan signifying the royal summons. The setting is a courtly landscape typical of 17th‑century Malwa painting, where the narrative underscores Krishna’s role as a divine suitor and the ritual significance of the svayamvara as a test of heroic worth.

The work thus conveys themes of divine love, royal legitimacy and the cosmic interplay of desire and duty.

History & Provenance

The painting titled “A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara,” from the Bhagavata Purana, is dated to 1655 and was produced in the Malwa region. It is classified as a painting and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under accession number 2018.133. The work was created in the mid‑17th century and remains part of the museum’s permanent holdings.

The painting titled A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland. The work, created in 1655 in the Malwa region, carries the accession number 2018.133. While the artist remains unknown, the piece depicts the figure of Krishna within the context of the Bhagavata Purana narrative. No specific exhibition history is recorded in the provided sources.

Overview

This painting illustrates a moment from the Bhagavata Purana, specifically depicting a Brahmin delivering an invitation or message to Krishna concerning Rukmini's svayamvara, a ceremony for choosing a husband. The artwork is characterized by its refined aesthetic and vibrant palette, typical of its period. It captures a pivotal narrative event within Hindu mythology, rendered with careful attention to detail and composition.

Technique & Style

The composition employs a striking color scheme, featuring a prominent red backdrop that contrasts with a green wall behind the central figure. Figures are rendered with distinct attire, such as Krishna's yellow garments and the Brahmin's white turban, contributing to visual clarity. An inscribed yellow banner at the top adds an textual element, though its script is unidentified. The overall execution demonstrates a refined aesthetic, characterized by elegant forms and a sophisticated use of color.

A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana
A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana

Artist & collection

VISUALLY SIMILAR

Similarity 98 percent

SAME SUBJECT

Similarity 100 percent
This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana?

A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana?

A Brahmin gives Krishna the Message or Invitation for the Competition to Rukmini’s Svayamvara, from a Bhagavata Purana is associated with Mughal Painting.