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Raja Balwant Singh’s Vision of Krishna and Radha

Attributed to Nainsukh Indian
ca. 1745–50
Not on view
Krishna and Radha appear as the ruler Raja Balwant Singh’s devotional vision. Nainsukh has subtly created two contrasting worlds, one occupied by the deities and the other by their devotee, who stands at the threshold. Balwant Singh looks into Krishna’s eyes and in turn receives his Lord’s grace. The setting is a terrace of the raja’s court framed by a landscape; the orange canopy invites the viewer into the divine space of the gods, who sit on a gilded, cushioned throne. This work is tremendously powerful because Nainsukh omitted embellishment and instead focused on the essential details of the narrative scene.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Raja Balwant Singh’s Vision of Krishna and Radha
  • Artist: Attributed to Nainsukh (active ca. 1735–78)
  • Date: ca. 1745–50
  • Culture: India, Punjab Hills, kingdom of Jasrota
  • Medium: Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Overall: 7 3/4 x 6 1/8 in. (19.7 x 15.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1994
  • Object Number: 1994.377
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

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A Lady with Attendants, Nainsukh Indian, Ink and transparent watercolor on paper, India (Pahari Hills, Kangra)
A Lady with Attendants
Nainsukh
ca. 1775–80
Drawing for an Illustration from a Sat Sai of Bihari Lal Series: The Message of the Eyes (recto); Lady in Search of Her Lover on a Dark Night (verso), Nainsukh Indian, Ochre on paper, India (Pahari Hills, Kangra)
Drawing for an Illustration from a Sat Sai of Bihari Lal Series: The Message of the Eyes (recto); Lady in Search of Her Lover on a Dark Night (verso)
Nainsukh
Fattu
ca. 1785–90
Krishna Subdues the Serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River: Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series, Nainsukh Indian, Ink and wash on paper, India (Pahari Hills, Guler or Kangra)
Krishna Subdues the Serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River: Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series
Nainsukh
ca. 1780
Durga, Kali, and the Matrikas Battle the Demon Raktabija: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya , Nainsukh Indian, Ink, ocher and underdrawing, India (Himachal Pradesh, Guler)

Durga, Kali, and the Matrikas Battle the Demon Raktabija: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya

Nainsukh
ca. 1780
Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya, Nainsukh Indian, Charcoal and opaque watercolor on paper, India (Himachal Pradesh, Guler)
Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya
Nainsukh
ca. 1780

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