Krishna Accepts an Offering from the Hunchbacked Woman Trivakra: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Series

Krishna Accepts an Offering from the Hunchbacked Woman Trivakra: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Series

Krishna Accepts an Offering from the Hunchbacked Woman Trivakra: Page from a Bhagavata Purana Series

Date:ca. 1650
Culture:India (Madhya Pradesh, Malwa)
Medium:Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
Dimensions:6 3/4 x 8 3/16 in. (17.1 x 20.8 cm)
Classification:Paintings
Credit Line:Gift of Paul E. Manheim, 1974

While traveling, Krishna encounters the hunchbacked woman Trivakra and notices the wonderful ointments she made for the evil king Kamsa. Overcome by his presence, Trivakra offers the ointments to Krishna, who straightens her crooked back and transforms her into a perfectly proportioned, beautiful woman. The story illustrates Krishna’s miraculous nature and Trivakra’s devotion, which is ultimately manifest as her passionate desire for god. Drawing on earlier painting styles of western India, the Malwa artist reduced the narrative to its essentials, presenting only the brightly lit protagonists against an intense red ground, banded by a darkened skyline.

Provenance

Paul E. Manheim , New York (until 1974; donated to MMA)

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