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Krishna Stealing Curds

Unknown

1704

unspecified

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Mughal Painting Romanticism 18th Century Religious Andhra Pradesh

Dominant colour

Krishna Stealing Curds is a 1704 unspecified by Unknown, a Mughal Painting work, depicting Andhra Pradesh, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1704 · Mughal Painting
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

A chubby blue toddler in a yellow cloth climbs a wobbly ladder to reach a clay pot of curds. His foster mother waves a stick at him, eyes wide with mock anger. This painting shows Krishna, a playful god from Hindu stories, sneaking snacks just like any kid. The bright colors and simple shapes make the scene feel lively and fun, even though we don’t know who painted it. The artist used bold outlines instead of shadows to keep things clear and cheerful. If you like this style, look up more paintings from southern india, andhra pradesh, tirupati.

The story of this work

Overview

As a toddler growing up in a rural cowherding community, Krishna loved to eat the dairy products his parents attempted to keep out of his reach. With bold rounded contours and modeling, the blue-skinned Krishna totters precariously on a ladder, while his irate foster mother brandishes a stick at him.