Krishna Suddenly Disappears in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, June 2018

Recto: Krishna Swims with the Gopis; Verso: Krishna Suddenly Disappears (Primary Title)
Page from an Illustrated Manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana (Series Title)

Unknown (Artist)

Date: circa 1760

Culture: Indian

Category: Manuscripts
Paintings
Works On Paper

Medium: opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper

Collection: South Asian Art

Geography: Nagpur, Northern Deccan, Maharashtra, Indian

Dimensions: Sheet: 7 3/4 × 15 1/2 in. (19.69 × 39.37 cm)
Mat: 16 × 20 in. (40.64 × 50.8 cm)

Object Number: 2008.22a-b

This illustrated page—in the traditional, horizontal Indian format—is from a copy of the Bhagavata Purana, a Hindu text glorifying the god Vishnu. It was probably produced around 1760 at Nagpur, in modern-day Maharashtra, for the local Maratha royal house or for a member of their court. Illustrations on the front and back of the page depict verses from the story of Vishnu’s incarnation as Krishna. This portion of the text focuses especially on Krishna’s amorous adventures with the cow maidens, or gopis, of his boyhood home, Vrindavan.

The gopis are shown here desperately searching for Krishna. These maidens had received so much attention from the blue-skinned god that they began to think they were superior to other women. In response to their conceit, Krishna disappeared. In the middle of this composition stands the still-visible Krishna, four-armed and accompanied by several of the admiring maidens. To the right and left, Vrindavan’s forest is shown after his disappearance. The gopis wander amongst the trees, distraught that they cannot find their handsome lord.

Additional Information

Credit Line: Gift of Don Dale in honor of his mother, Mary Helen Nichols Dale, and the Kathleen Boone Samuels Memorial Fund

Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-79570751