Accession Number
1964/2.120

Title
Krishna Fluting

Artist(s)
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Mewar School

Object Creation Date
circa 1700

Medium & Support
ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper

Dimensions
7 3/4 in x 6 3/16 in (19.68 cm x 15.72 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);8 5/16 in x 6 3/4 in (21.11 cm x 17.15 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. George P. Bickford for the James Marshall Plumer Memorial Collection

Subject matter
The image of Krishna playing his flute while standing on a lotus is a common subject of miniature paintings. In this representation, the God is shown engaging in lila or divine play with gopis (milkmaids) who shower adorations upon him.

Physical Description
Standing on top of a lotus flower, the Hindu God Krishna is showing playing the flute to charm his gopis (female companions/ milkmaids). These gopis stand by lovingly, two of them waving fly whisks above their heads. In the foreground and in the bottom register of the image are shown two cows looking adoringly towards Krishna. The setting is a vast open field.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Hinduism
Krishna
Musical instruments
flutes