An Image of Shrinathji Dressed for Radha's Birthday
Artist: Kotah School
Date: about 1840
Dimensions:
sheet: 8 x 5 11/16 in. (20.3 x 14.4 cm)
image: 6 7/8 x 4 5/8 in. (17.4 x 11.7 cm)
Medium: opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Place of Origin: India
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 2007.103
Label Text:Bright and colorful, this image depicts a shrine sculpture of Shrinathji, a manifestation of the Hindu god Krishna. The idol, sculpted out of a single piece of black marble that dates to the 12th century, still resides in the temple dedicated to the deity, located in the small village of Nathdwara not far from Udaipur in India.
Three times during the year—on the festivals celebrating the birthdays of Krishna, Krishna's consort Radha, and Krishna's son—the sculpted image of Shrinathji is dressed as he is depicted here, wearing a special four-pointed coat, a turban adorned with peacock feathers, multiple strands of beads and flowers around his neck, and carrying a flute and a lotus flower. His chutilla—a bejeweled artificial braid—swings out elegantly behind him. The inscription on this painting tells us that he is dressed for Radha's celebration. Various offerings are placed on the altar before him.
Three times during the year—on the festivals celebrating the birthdays of Krishna, Krishna's consort Radha, and Krishna's son—the sculpted image of Shrinathji is dressed as he is depicted here, wearing a special four-pointed coat, a turban adorned with peacock feathers, multiple strands of beads and flowers around his neck, and carrying a flute and a lotus flower. His chutilla—a bejeweled artificial braid—swings out elegantly behind him. The inscription on this painting tells us that he is dressed for Radha's celebration. Various offerings are placed on the altar before him.
Not on view
In Collection(s)