Artwork
Krishna Under a Canopy
Krishna Under a Canopy is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Hindu god Krishna situated beneath a canopy. The title and the work’s description indicate that Krishna is the central figure, while the canopy forms the surrounding architectural or natural element that frames him. No additional iconographic details or symbolic interpretations are provided in the sources.
History & Provenance
It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on display in Cleveland, Ohio.
Krishna Under a Canopy is a 1680 painting depicting the Hindu deity Krishna within a decorative canopy. The work is attributed to an unidentified artist and is classified as a painting. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on display in Cleveland, Ohio.
The museum’s records indicate the piece was accessioned as part of its Indian miniature collection, though specific acquisition details are not publicly disclosed. The painting’s creation date of 1680 is documented in both the museum’s catalogue entry and its Wikidata entry, providing a consistent dating for scholarly reference.
Overview
This painting, titled "Krishna Under a Canopy," presents a tranquil scene featuring three figures in a courtyard. A central male figure, richly adorned, is positioned on the ground, flanked by two women. The setting includes a white wall, a prominent red canopy, and a backdrop of trees beneath a blue sky. The artwork conveys a sense of harmony and visual equilibrium through its considered arrangement and color choices.
Technique & Style
The artist's approach to color and composition is central to the painting's serene and balanced aesthetic. Figures are arranged in a triangular formation, subtly guiding the viewer's attention to the central male figure. The palette, featuring rich reds, golds, oranges, and pinks against the stark white of the courtyard wall and the blue of the sky, contributes to the overall sense of visual harmony and calm.
Artist & collection
Krishna and Radha Quarreling: Shatha Nayaka, from a Rasikapriya
Krishna and Radha in a Pavilion, from a copy of the Seven Hundred Verses (Sat Sai) of Bihari
Krishna and Radha in a Pavilion, page from a copy of the Sat Sai Seven Hundred Verses)
Brahma
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visit the hermitage of the sage Bharadvaja at Prayaga, from Chapter 48 of the Ayodhya Kanda (Book of Ayodhya) of a Ramayana (Rama’s Journey)
Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman
Sri Raga
Dipak ragini
