Krishna Steals the Clothes of the Cowgirls (Gopis) (recto), from a Kalighat album

Description

In this image taken from both popular accounts and the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna has stolen the clothes of cowgirls (gopis) who are bathing in the Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges River. He refuses to return their clothes, the purple saris seen hanging high in the tree, until they come out and bow to him with folded palms. Krishna, a cowherder, is holding a flute, which he uses to lure them away.

Provenance

William E. Ward [1922–2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?–2003); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2003–)

Krishna Steals the Clothes of the Cowgirls (Gopis) (recto), from a Kalighat album

[]

c. 1890

Accession Number

2003.114.a

Medium

Gum tempera, graphite, ink, and tin on paper

Dimensions

Secondary Support: 48.5 x 29.9 cm (19 1/8 x 11 3/4 in.); Painting only: 45.5 x 28 cm (17 15/16 x 11 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward