Fertility Worship of Krishna

c. 1720–25

Fertility Worship of Krishna, c. 1720–25. India, Himachal Pradesh, Mandi. Gum tempera on paper; page: 29.2 x 21.6 cm (11 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.); image: 23.6 x 16.6 cm (9 5/16 x 6 9/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.97 The painting shows Krishna being worshipped under a pipal tree by a group of Shaivite devotees, recognized by the horizontal marks on their foreheads. Krishna is clad in a yellow Mughal jama, or belted Central Asian tunic, instead of the wrapped Indian lower garment (dhoti) traditionally associated with Krishna. The tree has been decorated with garlands and scarves to attract auspicious and divine benevolence. Krishna is holding a rattle in his right hand.