Krishna Vanquishing the Crane-Demon Bakasura
late 1700s
Maker Unknown
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Krishna Vanquishing the Crane-Demon Bakasura, late 1700s. Southern India, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati. Gum tempera and gold on paper; overall: 27.8 x 19.7 cm (10 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1966.29 The Hindu god Vishnu incarnated himself as Krishna in response to pleadings from the Earth goddess to rid her of a wicked king. The king sent demons of many forms to assassinate Krishna, who effortlessly destroyed them. The South Indian artist effectively used a diagonal composition to show the cause and effect of Krishna’s assault and the fall of the defeated demon. The true form of the crane-demon tumbles out from the backside of the distressed bird.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Painting
- Formatted Medium
- gum tempera and gold on paper
- Dimensions
- Overall: 27.8 x 19.7 cm (10 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.)
- Departments
- Indian and Southeast Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 1966.29
- Credit Line
- John L. Severance Fund
- Exhibitions
- Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation), <em>Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115)</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 4–August 5, 2003)., <em>Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115)</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (August 18, 2004–May 23, 2005).
- Rights Statement
- CC0
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