Krishna and the jester

Physical description

Painting. Krishna in a deep yellow dhoti stands conversing with a messenger in a red conical cap. Krishna with red Vaishnava markings holding a lotus flower. Radha stands inside a chamber in blue veil and red skirt motioning to Krishna as if to make him stop his jesting. On the right, exterior, stands the jester with pale conical cap, red striped trousers and yellow scarf, covering his mouth in amusement at the scene.

Place of Origin

Basohli, India (made)

Date

1695 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Painting

Marks and inscriptions

'vaidudhak sakha' 'the jester friend'
117 (numeral)
verse from the Rasamanjari 'Having coaxed my lotus-faced girl to come near the couch, I eagerly prepared to loosen her bodice. Meanwhile, the clown, my friend, repeatedly crowed like a young rooster as if heralding the dawn'
(trans. Randhawa and Bhambri (1967))

Dimensions

Height: 230 mm including border, Width: 325 mm including border, Height: 180 mm, Width: 270 mm

Object history note

From a series by the painter Davidasa.

Rawson, Philip S., Hayward Gallery and Arts Council of Great Britain. Tantra. Hayward Gallery, London 30 September-7 November 1971. London, Arts Council of Great Britain, [1971]. p. 34, no.127.

Descriptive line

Opaque watercolour, Krishna and the jester, Basohli, 1695. Illustration to a Chittarasamanjari.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Archer, W.G. 'Indian Paintings From The Punjab Hills: A Survey and History of Pahari Miniature Painting' Oxford University Press, Delhi, 1973. 37p

Materials

Opaque watercolour

Techniques

Painted

Subjects depicted

Krishna; Deities; Radha; Beds; Jesters

Categories

Religion; Paintings; Hinduism

Collection code

SSEA