Krishna Rajagopalaswamy, king of the cowherds
This diminutive painting celebrates Krishna as king of the cowherds—a form of the divinity unique to the Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu. It is a work of tender devotion, immediate in its celebration of Krishna as the pastoral protector of cows. Painted in a seemingly folkish style that belies its sophistication, this powerful image was likely painted in Tirupati, the great Vaishnava temple and pilgrimage center in southern Andhra Pradesh as part of a series celebrating the childhood and youth of Krishna. Wearing the distinctive turban of a cowherd and leaning nonchalantly on a crutch, he grasps a punch-dagger in his left hand; in his right he holds a lotus and a herdsman’s whip. This stylized serpentine device with a snake terminal here assumes the status of a royal scepter. A bow is slung over his left shoulder; a quiver is visible behind the other. Devotees who stay overnight in prayer at his temple believe they earn merit equivalent to gifting 1000 cows!
Artwork Details
- Title: Krishna Rajagopalaswamy, king of the cowherds
- Artist: Tirupati School, South India
- Date: late 18th century
- Culture: South India, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati
- Medium: Opaque watercolor and hand-colored silver on paper
- Dimensions: Image: 10 9/16 × 7 1/2 in. (26.8 × 19 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2022
- Object Number: 2022.305
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Tirupati School, South India
late 18th century
India, Deccan, Aurangabad (?)
late 18th century
India (Rajasthan, Bikaner)
ca. 1725
India (Madhya Pradesh, Malwa)
ca. 1630–40
Devidasa of Nurpur
dated 1694–95
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