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Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva, unspecified, 1690
Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva, unspecified, 1690

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1690 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This painting depicts a vibrant garden scene, illustrating a moment from the Gita Govinda of Jayadeva.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This work visualizes the emotional tension and longing central to the text, focusing on the divine lovers' separation and the prospect of their reunion.

The painting depicts Radha in a moment of anticipation as she awaits reconciliation with Krishna, illustrating a specific narrative episode from Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. This work visualizes the emotional tension and longing central to the text, focusing on the divine lovers' separation and the prospect of their reunion. Created in Mewar in 1680, the piece serves as an iconographic representation of the devotional themes found in the Gita Govinda, where Radha's waiting symbolizes the soul's yearning for the divine. The imagery captures the psychological state of the heroine within the broader context of Krishna's pastimes.

History & Provenance

The painting dates to 1680 and was produced in the Mewar region of India, according to its cataloguing. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under the accession number 1990.41. The work is attributed to an unknown artist, and no further details of commission, prior ownership, or chain of custody are documented in the available sources.

Source records identify the piece as a painting created in 1680 in Mewar and now located at the Cleveland Museum of Art, but do not provide information on its earlier provenance, the circumstances of its creation, or any intermediate owners between its production and acquisition by the museum.

Overview

This painting depicts a vibrant garden scene, illustrating a moment from the Gita Govinda of Jayadeva. A central figure, identified as Radha, is shown on a swing, seemingly in anticipation. She is attended by other women amidst lush foliage, while a blue-skinned man, likely Krishna, plays a flute in the background.

The composition is characterized by its vivid palette and intricate details, all contained within a distinctive red and yellow border.

Technique & Style

The painting employs a rich and saturated color scheme, with figures dressed in bright garments that stand out against the verdant garden setting. The composition is dense, featuring numerous figures, trees, and architectural elements that fill the pictorial space. A striking red and yellow frame encloses the scene, enhancing the visual intensity and defining the boundaries of this detailed and lively depiction.

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva
Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva

Artist & collection

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva?

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva?

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva is associated with Mughal Painting.