Krishna Lifting Mount Govardhan
Unknown Artist
c. 1780–90
Medium
gum tempera and gold on paper
Dimensions
image: 20.6 × 14 cm · with borders: 21.6 × 15.2 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
2001.45
About this artwork
Krishna supports Mount Govardhan with nothing but his little finger as he gazes into the eyes of his favorite cowherd girl, Radha, and pats the head of a child. His brother Balarama, with white skin and a blue garment, adds further support with a staff. The cows and members of the herding community all cluster close to Krishna, sheltered from the raging storm sent by Indra riding his white elephant in the sky.