Krishna and the Gopis Gather for Rasamandala
Unknown Artist
c. 1720–30
Medium
Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions
50 × 32.5 cm · image: 41.5 × 28.5 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund
Accession Number
1960.45
About this artwork
On the banks of a river full of lotus flowers, the blue god Krishna address the gopis, women of the cowherding community where he spent his youth. At first, they approach him, smiling and delighted, proclaiming that he is the god of love, shining like the full moon above. When he tells them that he is soon leaving them, they fall to the ground, distraught. Although the figures of the gopis are painted individually, with varied skin colors and garments, they act collectively.