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Krishna entertains his companions
ca. 1760-1765
- Medium
- Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
- Classification
- Paintings
- Dimensions
- H x W (overall): 11.5 × 16.4 cm (4 1/2 × 6 7/16 in)
- Culture
- Himalayan peoples
- Museum
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Asian Art
- Credit line
- Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection — funds provided by the Friends of the National Museum of Asian Art
- Rights
- CC0 (Smithsonian Open Access), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
View at the Smithsonian Institution
About this work
Pastoral images of a musical Krishna among his childhood cowherding community are popular in Hindu visual culture. The scene embodies Krishna bhakti, a form of devotionalism that emphasizes the personal relationship with a god who is both transcendent and accessible. Highlighted against a black ground and sheltered by lush trees, Krishna and his gently smiling companions are joyful. Devoted cows and a sleeping calf surround them. Throughout devotional poetry, Krishna and the Vrindaban cows have a special relationship: the village cows seek out Krishna's affection and refuse to be milked by anyone but the god.
