Krishna Returns to the Gopis, from a History of the Lord (Bhagavata Purana) manuscript Artist: Unknown

ca. 1760–65

Asian Art

Not on view

Having longed for him incessantly, the cowherds (gopis) are so delighted to see Krishna that they remove their outer garments to make a seat for him and anoint this seat with red (vermilion) powder from their breasts.

Medium

Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Dimensions

without mounting: 8 3/4 × 12 13/16 in. (22.3 × 32.5 cm)
with mounting: 16 1/4 × 19 3/4 in. (41.2 × 50.1 cm)
framed: 16 × 22 in. (40.64 × 55.88 cm)

Credit Line

The Vera M. and John D. MacDonald, B.A. 1927, Collection, Gift of Mrs. John D. MacDonald

Accession Number

2001.138.37

Geography

Basohli, India

Culture

Indian, Punjab Hills, Guler

Period

Rajput States (14th - 19th century)

Classification

Paintings

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Vera M. MacDonald and John D. MacDonald, Boston, Mass., by 2001; given to the Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn., 2001
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

histories (visual works), human figures (visual works)

Inscriptions

Bhagavata Purana Book 10 Chapter 32 verses 13, 14, 15:\r\n13. The heartache of the gopis was assuaged by the bliss of seeing Krsna, just as the Vedas attained the culmination of their hearts' desire. The gopis made a seat for the friend of their heart with their outer garments, which were smeared with the kumkum powder from their breasts.\r\n14. Bhagavan, the Lord, whose seat is fixed within the hearts of the masters of yoga, sat down there. He was worshipped as he sat in the company of the gopis, and revealed himself in a form that was a unique embodiment of beauty in the three worlds.\r\n15. Those women worshipped that inciter of Kama by massaging his hands and feet, which they had placed on their laps. They praised him, their eyebrows quivering, with playful looks and laughter. Then they spoke somewhat angrily.\r\n\r\n--translated by Edwin F. Bryant , "Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God: Srimad Bhagavata Purana Book X."\r\n\r\nSanskrit text in devanagari in black and red; two lines of Takri script on back.

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