Artwork
Nanda and the Elders in Council with the Cowherds, from a Bhagavata Purana
Nanda and the Elders in Council with the Cowherds, from a Bhagavata Purana is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1698 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The piece eventually entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 2018.
Created in 1695 within the Bikaner State, this painting depicts a scene from the Bhagavata Purana featuring Nanda and the elders. The specific artist responsible for the work remains unidentified. The piece eventually entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under the accession number 2018.192.
The painting Nanda and the Elders in Council with the Cowherds, from a Bhagavata Purana is held in the Cleveland Museum of Art. It entered the museum’s collection in 2018 under accession number 2018.192.
There is no documented exhibition history for this work in the provided sources.
Overview
The work titled Nanda and the Elders in Council with the Cowherds, from a Bhagavata Purana depicts a gathering of figures in a verdant outdoor setting. Trees and low shrubs frame the scene, while cattle and goats wander nearby. The participants wear traditional attire and appear to be engaged in a communal discussion, set against a gently illuminated sky and a distant hill crowned with modest structures.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates a narrative drawn from the Bhagavata Purana, focusing on Nanda, the foster‑father of Krishna, and a council of village elders together with cowherds. The assembly suggests a moment of deliberation concerning pastoral life or divine events, reflecting themes of communal responsibility and spiritual guidance within the Hindu mythic tradition.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a naturalistic yet stylized manner, the painting balances detailed figural representation with a simplified landscape. The warm yellow hue of the sky creates a tranquil ambience, while the foliage and animal forms are outlined with clear brushwork, emphasizing both narrative clarity and decorative elegance typical of Indian courtly painting traditions.
Context
As an illustration of a Bhagavata Purana episode, the painting aligns with a broader tradition of visualizing Hindu scriptures for devotional and educational purposes. Such works were often produced for elite patrons or temple settings, serving to reinforce narrative familiarity and moral instruction among viewers.
Artist & collection
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