Lot 67
Southeast Asia, India or Pakistan, ca. 19th century CE. A finely painted depiction of Hindu lovers, most likely the infamous Krishna and Radha. We see the young Krishna taking the hand of the beautiful Radha; both are refinely dressed as if in wedding vestments though the pair never married. This couple had quite a history beginning in childhood when they grew up together, playing, dancing, and hoping to spend the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately the universe pulled them apart. Krishna came to be worshipped as a lord who defended his people and vanquished his enemies, while Radha waited for him. Krishna married Rukmini and Styabhama; he raised a family and fought valiantly in the war of Ayodyha, while Radha still waited - so immense was her love for Krishna. Song writers and poets have used their torrid love as inspiration for centuries. This painting is lovely, because it sets the pair in a scene that seems almost inspired by the bird's eye view perfected in the Japanese print tradition. As we peer into the scene from above, it is almost as if we have a privileged view of their forbidden union - perhaps a fictional marriage between the two or the final meeting of the young lovers.
Why is Krishna's skin blue? This is a question often asked. One legend tells of how the young Krishna was jealous of Radha's light complexion. He asked his mother why nature had been so unfair to him, for he was dark skinned and Radha by comparison possessed a fair complexion. According to one legend, a demon once tried to kill Krishna with poisoned milk and as a result Krishna turned blue. Fortunately, Krishna did not perish; however, the demon disintegrated into ashes. In another story, Krishna's doting mother tried to pacify her son by instructing him to color Radha's face whatever color he wished. He then colored Radha's face so that it looked just like his own.
A stunning and colorful painting featuring these legendary lovers set outside a palace or temple in a verdant landscape surrounded by graceful fauna and lush flora. The composition is 'framed' multiple times with a hand-painted floral border, an orange linen mat, and a gold-painted bamboo pattern wooden frame. The Radha-Krishna romance is a prominent subject of Indian art and literature, serving as a model of allegorical love to which all should aspire. Radha was Krishna's favorite of all the gopis (cow herding maidens), and their love signified rapture between God and human soul has often been interpreted as the hope for the union between humanity and the divine. Size: painting itself 15-1/4" x 10"; framed 20" x 14-1/2" Provenance: Ex-private Boris Mussienko collection, Maryland, acquired in 1980s. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. #108713
- Condition: Intact and excellent.
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