Artwork
Akrura Drives Krishna and Balarama to Mathura, from the “Isarda Bhagavata Purana,”
Akrura Drives Krishna and Balarama to Mathura, from the “Isarda Bhagavata Purana,” is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1565 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting, titled "Akrura Drives Krishna and Balarama to Mathura," is a leaf from the “Isarda Bhagavata Purana” series.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates a scene from the Isarda Bhagavata Purana in which the sage Akrura escorts the divine siblings Krishna and Balarama toward Mathura.
The work illustrates a scene from the Isarda Bhagavata Purana in which the sage Akrura escorts the divine siblings Krishna and Balarama toward Mathura.
The iconography includes the figure of Akrura steering a chariot, with Krishna and Balarama depicted as youthful, dark-skinned deities, emphasizing their role as protectors. The narrative symbolizes the preparation for Krishna's later exploits in Mathura and underscores themes of divine guidance and destiny. The painting is housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art and dates to 1565.
History & Provenance
The folio titled Akrura Drives Krishna and Balarama to Mathura is dated to 1565 and is associated with the Isarda Bhagavata Purana manuscript tradition.
It is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it entered the collection in 1971 as accession number 1971.234. The work's prior provenance before 1971 is not documented in the available sources.
Overview
This painting, titled "Akrura Drives Krishna and Balarama to Mathura," is a leaf from the “Isarda Bhagavata Purana” series. It presents a vibrant scene characterized by dynamic figures and a palette of clear, strong colors. The artwork captures a moment within the broader narrative of Krishna and Balarama's journey, inviting viewers into a lively depiction of human interaction and traditional storytelling.
Technique & Style
The painting employs a distinctive visual style marked by bold and simple colors, predominantly reds, yellows, and blues, which contribute to the scene's energetic atmosphere. Figures are delineated with sharp lines, creating clear separations and a sense of graphic precision. Compositionally, a palm tree and two horses frame the central action, while a yellow border with black text in the background further integrates the visual narrative with its textual source.
Artist & collection
The Marriage of Pradyumna and Rukmavati, page from a Bhagavata Purana
The Infant Krishna Spirited Away by Vasudev, page from the Dispersed Bhagavatapurana manuscript
Scenes from the Mahabharata
The Marriage of Pradyumna and Rukmavati, page from a Bhagavata Purana
Legend of Durga
Untitled
Vasudeva and Devaki
Hanuman, Rama and Sita
