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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1974.109
Title
Krishna and Balarama at a Wrestling Match (painting, recto), folio from a Bhagavata Purana series
Classification
Manuscripts
Work Type
manuscript folio
Date
c. 1760
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India, Himachal Pradesh, Guler
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216425

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Dimensions
22.8 x 28.6 cm (9 x 11 1/4 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bienstock
Accession Year
1974
Object Number
1974.109
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
This painting features an outdoor wrestling ring. On the right is the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna; on the left is his elder half-brother Balarama. The tenth book of the Bhagavata Purana includes episodes from Krishna's early life when the divine prophesied that he would kill his evil uncle Kamsa. Fearing for his life, Kamsa asked his wrestlers, Chanura, Musthika, Shala, and Toshala, to defeat the two boys in a duel. In the painting, we see the four mighty wrestlers slain on the ground while the cowherds celebrate the victory of Krishna and Balarama. On the extreme right, we see Kamsa seated alongside his ministers in a pavilion overlooking the wrestling ground. This folio most likely belonged to a Bhagavata Purana series produced in Guler. There is no text on the verso of this folio. This painting might belong to the same series as 1974.108. Scholars have attributed this painting to the Pahari painter, Manaku of Guler (c. 1700 - 1760 CE). Rajput, Pahari, Guler School.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be 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