Lord Krishna

Painting

-

Purdue University Galleries

Name/Title

Lord Krishna

Entry/Object ID

1998.09.31

Description

The central figure is depicted in a dark complexion, adorned with vibrant red, green, and yellow colors. The figure has multiple arms, each holding various objects. The figure wears ornate jewelry, including necklaces and armlets, and a large decorative crown with intricate detailing. The background is filled with stylized floral motifs and two large birds at the top, flanking the figure.

Type of Painting

Watercolor

Artwork Details

Medium

Paper, Watercolor, ink

Subject

Lord Krishna

Subject Person

Lord Krishna

Subject Place

Country

India

Acquisition

Accession

1998.09

Source or Donor

Derek Davenport

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Gift of Derek Davenport

Made/Created

Time Period

Late 20th century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Region

Madhubani

Country

India

Notes

Traditionally produced by women, Madhubani/Mithila paintings are identifiable by bright colors, geometric patterning, and two-dimensionality.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Attribution, Note

Location

Back Upper Left Corner

Transcription

LORD KRISHNA

Language

English

Material/Technique

Pen

Type

Note

Location

Back Bottom Right Corner

Transcription

1998.09.31 - DAD

Language

English

Material/Technique

Pencil

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Painting

Nomenclature Class

Art

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Dimensions

Height

30 in

Width

22-1/8 in

Provenance

Notes

Derek Davenport (1927-2017), West Lafayette, Indiana; donated to the Purdue University Galleries in 1998

Exhibition

Paintings from India: Historical and Modern (2019)

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition label

Label

(From Paintings from India: Historical and Modern Reuff West Feb 11-22, 2019): The 8th avatar of the god Vishnu and a supreme god of compassion, tenderness and love, Lord Krishna is also known as the mischievous god. He appears as a prankster is some tales and as a lover in others. The Sanskrit world 'krsna', means blue or black, and his skin is colored accordingly. Reds and greens help make this image stand out against yellow ground.