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"Krishna Steals the Clothing of the Gopis (Female Cowherds)", Folio from the Devotional Text of the Bhagavata Purana

ca. 1640
Not on view
Krishna, the mischievous Divine Cowherd, has stolen the clothes of the bathing gopis, who shiver with cold but also with delight in their devotion to their lord. This splendid allegory of spiritual love is attributed to an esteemed unknown artist referred to as the Early Master at the Court of Mandi. His hand is recognizable in the verdant green background with a high horizon line populated with small figures, the trees with exposed trunks and branches, and the female figures with refined facial features.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "Krishna Steals the Clothing of the Gopis (Female Cowherds)", Folio from the Devotional Text of the Bhagavata Purana
  • Artist: Attributed to The Early Master at the Court of Mandi (Indian, active ca. 1635–1660)
  • Date: ca. 1640
  • Culture: Indian
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: Page: H. 13 3/8 in. (34 cm)
    W. 9 7/16 in. (24 cm)
    Painting: H. 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm)
    W. 8 in. (20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Steven Kossak, The Kronos Collections, 2020
  • Object Number: 2020.384
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Pichhwai for the Festival of Cows, Painted and printed gold and silver leaf and opaque watercolor on indigo-dyed cotton, India, Deccan, Aurangabad (?)
Pichhwai for the Festival of Cows
India, Deccan, Aurangabad (?)
late 18th century
The Demon Hiranyaksha Departs the Demon Palace: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series, Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper, Northern India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh
The Demon Hiranyaksha Departs the Demon Palace: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series
Northern India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh
ca. 1740
Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar: Folio from a Rasamanjari Series, Devidasa of Nurpur, Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, and gold on paper, India (Basohli, Jammu)
Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar: Folio from a Rasamanjari Series
Devidasa of Nurpur
dated 1694–95
Maharana Sangram Singh Riding a Prize Stallion, Stipple Master Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, gold, and Basra pearls on paper, India (Rajasthan, Mewar)
Maharana Sangram Singh Riding a Prize Stallion
Stipple Master
Jai Ram
ca. 1712
Krishna Revels with the Gopis: Page from a Dispersed Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherds), Opaque watercolor and silver on paper, India (Madhya Pradesh, Malwa)
Krishna Revels with the Gopis: Page from a Dispersed Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherds)
India (Madhya Pradesh, Malwa)
ca. 1630–40

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