Painting, Krishna and Balarama, watercolour and tin alloy on paper, Kalighat, Kolkata, ca. 1855-1860

Painting, in watercolour and tin alloy on paper, image of the blue skinned god Krishna on the right with his elder brother Balarama on the left. Balarama is normally shown with a white complexion carrying a horn or a ploughshare. Both deities have peacock crowns and silver necklaces (executed in tin alloy) which hang over their pleated dhotis. Reared with Krishna in the family of the cowherd Nanda, Balarama shared his boyhood in Brindaban. He assisted Krishna in the killing of many demons.

Krishna on the right with his elder brother Balarama on the left. Balarama is normally shown with a white complexion carrying a horn or a ploughshare. Both deities have peacock crowns and silver necklaces which hang over their pleated dhotis. Reared with Krishna in the family of the cowherd Nanda, Balarama shared his boyhood in Brindaban. He assisted Krishna in the killing of many demons.

Given by Rudyard Kipling Esq., Bateman's, Burwash, Sussex

Part of an album, containing 196 prints, paintings and pen and pencil drawings together with 37 loose pages of paintings, calligraphic drawings, and outline pen drawings. The collection is mainly composed of native lithograph pictures sold at the local bazaars and fairs of Upper India and Bengal. The album was collected by late J Lockwood Kipling between the years 1865 and 1893. In 1875 he became Principal of the Mayo School of Art, Lahore and held this post until his retirement in 1893. The album was presented to the Museum by his son, Rudyard Kipling in 1917.

Given by Rudyard Kipling Esq., Bateman's, Burwash, Sussex. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project.

R.P. 1917-2627M, R.P. 1917-2705M

IM.2:62-1917