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recto Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1995.82
Title
Worship of Shri Navanitapriyaji in the Govardhan Chowkh at the Shrinathji Temple Complex
Classification
Paintings
Work Type
painting
Date
18th-19th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Gujarat
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/312002

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Opaque watercolor, gold and metallic gray watercolor on paper
Dimensions
actual: 44.5 x 32.6 cm (17 1/2 x 12 13/16 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift in gratitude to John Coolidge, Gift of Leslie Cheek, Jr., Anonymous Fund in memory of Henry Berg, Louise Haskell Daly, Alpheus Hyatt, Richard Norton Memorial Funds and through the generosity of Albert H. Gordon and Emily Rauh Pulitzer; formerly in the collection of Stuart Cary Welch, Jr.
Accession Year
1995
Object Number
1995.82
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
The painting features a temple complex dedicated to Shrinathji, a form of the Hindu god Krishna. The idol of Shrinathji, shown with iconic dark skin, stands in a gray niche flanked by two priests. At the foot of the temple stairs is a golden shrine containing a gold idol surrounded by priests. The gold idol represents, Navantipriyaji (“The one who loves fresh butter”), another form of Krishna that is said to be a child-like form. The base of the stairs is fenced in and contains a large group of worshippers. The front register of the painting contains a large herd of cows with red handprints on their bodies. This was a common sign of reverence for cows, which are considered sacred to Hindus. The handprints are also a common feature in pichhwais, devotional paintings to Krishna on cloth that are commonly found in temples and personal shrines in Gujarat. The walls of the complex are painted with elephants and their riders. Govardhan Chowk, a marketplace located in Rajkot, Gujarat.

Exhibition History

  • Rajasthani Miniatures: The Welch Collection at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University, The Drawing Center, New York, 04/16/1997 - 06/07/1997

Verification Level

This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu