Krishna Abhisarika Nayika, from a Rasikapriya manuscript
Unknown Artist
c. 1615–25
Medium
Gum tempera on paper
Dimensions
12.1 × 12.7 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Accession Number
2018.166
About this artwork
Two women quarrel outside a house while the Nayaka (hero protagonist) watches from a safe distance. The woman wearing a red scarf appears to be the Nayaka’s wife or beloved, who has just realized her partner’s infidelity. In a fit of anger, she strangles the other woman, who would be the Nayaka’s mistress, and raises a leg to kick her.