Description
The four-armed sculpture on the altar is understood by followers of the Pushti Marg system as a living embodiment of Krishna, who generated another pair of arms when playing hide-and-seek with his favorite milkmaid, Radha. The sculpture is called Dvaraka Nathji, and his shrine is located in Kankroli, near Nathdwara in northwestern India. The golden cows adorn a textile backdrop (pichvai) behind the sculpture and reference Krishna’s youth in a cowherd village.
Provenance
William E. Ward [1922–2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–2001); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2001–)
Accession Number
2001.161
Medium
Gum tempera and gold on paper
Dimensions
Overall: 32.8 x 25.2 cm (12 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward