The Infant Krishna tied to a mortar
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
late 15th century (painted)
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Opaque watercolour and ink on paper
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
- Download image
This painting is from a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna, whose charmingly mischievous acts in infancy are a great source of delight. The verses of this text, given over to the loving adoration (bhakti) of Krishna, inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period. The Sanskrit text reads (in part): ‘Tightly tied by Yashoda with a cow halter to a mortar… the Butter-thief gently weeps’.
Physical description
Image at left, text at right (Sanskrit script). Image depicts the infant Krishna tied around his waist to a mortar at left. A female figure at right. Three trees behind and a river (?) at top and left. Red background. A red dot at left and right of folio.
Place of Origin
Gujarat, India (painted)
Date
late 15th century (painted)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Opaque watercolour and ink on paper
Dimensions
Height: 10.5 cm folio, Width: 23 cm folio
Descriptive line
Manuscript page, 'The infant Krishna tied to a mortar', Gujarat, late 15th century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Swallow, Deborah and John Guy eds. Arts of India: 1550-1900. text by Rosemary Crill, John Guy, Veronica Murphy, Susan Stronge and Deborah Swallow. London : V&A Publications, 1990. 240 p., ill. ISBN 1851770224. pp.32/33, no.19.
Exhibition History
Nehru gallery (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/06/2008-30/06/2008)
Nehru gallery (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1990-31/12/1994)
Labels and date
THE INFANT KRISHNA TIED TO A MORTAR
Gouache and ink on paper
Gujarat
Late 15th century
IS 82-1963
From a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna. The verses of this text, given over to the loving adoration (bhakti) of Krishna, inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period. The Sanskrit text reads (in part): 'Tightly tied by Yasoda with a cow halter to a mortar… the Butter-thief gently weeps'. [1990]
THE INFANT KRISHNA TIED TO A MORTAR
Opaque water-colour and ink on paper
Gujarat
Late 15th century
IS 82-1963
From a Balagopalastuti manuscript, a Hindu text in praise of the youthful Krishna. The verses of this text, given over to the loving adoration (bhakti) of Krishna, inspired some of the most celebratory painting of the period. The Sanskrit text reads (in part): 'Tightly tied by Yashoda with a cow halter to a mortar… the Butter-thief gently weeps'. [06/2008]
Materials
Paper; Ink; Opaque watercolour
Techniques
Painted
Subjects depicted
Krishna
Categories
Manuscripts; Hinduism
Collection code
IND
