Krishna Dances on the Head of Kaliya; Illustration to the Harivamsa (Story of Hari)

Unknown

ca. 1590–95 · Opaque color and gold on paper · Islamic Art

Krishna in gold crown and yellow dhoti and scarf is shown here playing his flute in triumph as he pummels the multi-headed serpent king Kaliya into submission with his dancing feet, having jumped down upon him from the Kadamba tree. Krishna’s brother, the pale skinned Balarama turns to Krishna’s astonished foster parents to indicate his victory. The Harivamsa (Story of Hari), to which this is an illustration, is one of several Hindu epics and mythological translated from Sanskrit to Persian for the emperor Akbar, and exquisitely illustrated by his leading artists

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1590–95

Medium

Opaque color and gold on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Howard Hodgkin Collection, Purchase, Florence and Herbert Irving Acquisitions, 2020 Benefit, and Dodge Funds; Howard S. and Nancy Marks Gift; Louis V. Bell, Harris Brisbane Dick, Fletcher, and Rogers Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; and funds from various donors, 2022