Krishna Ferrying Radha Across the Yamuna River (recto); Parivati Placing a Wedding Garland on Shiva (verso)

The painting entered the Cleveland Museum of Art collection, securing its status as a documented work of the period and prompting further study of the artist’s oeuvre. Its dual-sided composition, depicting Krishna Ferrying Radha Across the Yamuna River on the front and Parivati Placing a Wedding Garland on Shiva on the reverse, illustrates a rare devotional theme from the late 19th‑century Bengali school. Documentation of its creation in Kolkata in 1890, together with its classification as a painting, supports ongoing academic interest in the piece as an example of colonial‑era Indian religious art.

This painting presents two distinct narratives from Hindu mythology, each depicted on a separate side of the same support. On the recto, the divine figure Krishna is shown assisting Radha in a river crossing. The verso illustrates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, a pivotal moment in their sacred union.

The artwork employs a vibrant palette, featuring strong reds, blues, yellows, and golds that stand out against a lighter ground, characteristic of narrative painting traditions.

The artist utilized a clear and direct visual language to convey these mythological stories. Bold and saturated hues, including prominent reds, blues, and yellows, define the figures and their attire, creating a striking contrast with the lighter background. The composition focuses on the key actions of the narratives, such as the river crossing and the exchange of the garland, rendered with distinct forms and an emphasis on the figures' interactions.