ID Number

Title

Item Name

Culture

Date Made

Place Made

Date Collected

Date Owned

Owner

Acquisition Date

Source

Measurements

Item Classes

Condition

Accession Number

History Of Use

Indian popular religious prints have been published for nearly a century, first by German presses, later by Indian ones. The prints may take the form of calendars, posters, or simply images. The style of the representations is European. In the beginning they were Hindu images, but are now acquiring elements both of folk art and a romantic secularism. It is a living art currently influenced by the movie industry and non-Hindu religions. The images are a vehicle for advertising and are also used for religious purposes. This print was produced, framed, and displayed in a prayer room for 'puja' or worship.

Iconographic Meaning

Krishna, eighth incarnation of Vishnu is associated with strength, vigor, and life. He is unmindful of the cares of everyday living, and subdues any evil with laughter. Can be shown as the divine child (mischievous, impulsive, spontaneous) or as the divine lover with the milkmaids. His favorite, Radha, shows her adoration for him as symbol of a worshipper's passionate devotion. He calls people to lose themselves in bliss by the sound from his flute. Also identified by: blue grey or light blue skin, peacock feather in tiara, u-shaped Vaishnavite third eye, peacock and bovine, full moon, and landscape settings reminiscent of Gopal Krishna living among the cowherds.

Cultural Context

popular religious art

Description

Rectangular shaped calendar print depicting Krishna seated slightly sideways, cross-legged on a green rock, holding a flute in his right hand. He is wearing an orange wrap, orange dhoti, long white floral garland and necklaces around neck; crown with a peacock feather in the middle. He has wavy brown hair and a red ‘U’ on forehead. Held in his left arm is a deer stretching its neck upwards. A white cow sits with its back facing viewer. Around Krishna is a lake and bushes with pink flowers. Background consists of brown sky; area around male is golden. Several small houses on left in middle. Orange Sanskrit characters are written on lower right corner. Attached to blank space below the image is the title, 'Gopal Krishna'. The publisher, 'S.S. Brijbasi' is written on lower left corner, and the printer, 'Brijbasi Fao Works', on the lower right corner, both with their addresses.