Artwork
Krishna Steals the Clothes of the Milkmaids and Expounds on the Virtue of Trees, from a Braj Bhagavata Purana
Krishna Steals the Clothes of the Milkmaids and Expounds on the Virtue of Trees, from a Braj Bhagavata Purana is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This painting, titled Krishna Steals the Clothes of the Milkmaids and Expounds on the Virtue of Trees, is an illustration from a Braj Bhagavata Purana.
This painting, titled Krishna Steals the Clothes of the Milkmaids and Expounds on the Virtue of Trees, is an illustration from a Braj Bhagavata Purana. It presents a vibrant and intricate composition, characterized by its bright palette and the division of the pictorial space into several distinct narrative sections. The artwork captures a complex sequence of events, inviting viewers to explore its detailed visual storytelling.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts a key episode from the Bhagavata Purana, centering on the deity Krishna. The narrative unfolds across the canvas, illustrating Krishna's playful act of taking the milkmaids' garments and his subsequent discourse on the significance of trees. The composition integrates both divine and earthly elements, with upper registers featuring crowned figures and lower sections portraying daily life, including grazing cows and human activities.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a distinctive style marked by its dense composition and vivid color scheme. The painting is organized into multiple small panels, allowing for the simultaneous depiction of various narrative threads within a single frame. This technique creates a dynamic and busy visual experience, where detailed figures, architectural elements like balconies, and natural forms such as trees and a river are meticulously rendered against a dark blue sky.
Context
This painting originates from a Braj Bhagavata Purana, a revered Hindu scripture that narrates the life and exploits of Krishna. Such illustrated manuscripts served as important visual aids for religious instruction and devotion, bringing sacred stories to life for their audiences. The artwork reflects the rich tradition of manuscript illumination in the Braj region, known for its deep connection to Krishna worship.
Artist & collection
- Krishna Steals the Clothes of the Milkmaids and Expounds on the Virtue of Trees, from a Braj Bhagavata Purana
Krishna Lifts Mount Govardhan, from a Bhagavata Purana
Scenes from Boyhood of Krishna
Krishna Exacts a Toll from the Milkmaids: Dana-Lila, from a Bhagavata Purana
Friends of Krishna, folio 163 from a Bhakti Ratnavali of Vishnu Puri
Krishna Exacts a Toll from the Milkmaids: Dana-Lila, from a Bhagavata Purana
Krishna returns with the cowherds to Braj, from a Bhagavata Purana
Gods and Brahmins Worshipping Durga, from the Bhagavata Purana (1 of 3)
