Apr 14, 2014

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva

Radha Awaiting Reconciliation with Krishna, from a Gita Govinda of Jayadeva

c. 1680

Gum tempera and gold on paper

Overall: 21.3 x 25.3 cm (8 3/8 x 9 15/16 in.)

Gift of John D. Proctor 1990.41

Location

Description

The artist has depicted Krishna’s favorite lover, Radha, six times to emphasize her agitation while she waits for Krishna. She has made intimate enclosures of flowering branches for their tryst, she pleads with a picture of him, and she lays out blossoms and liquor under a tree in preparation. Her confidante makes an appeal to Krishna who sits under a tree at right, seemingly unmoved and dispassionate.

The viewer is meant to put oneself in the place of Radha, and feel her intense longing for Krishna. Even when it seems like the god does not come when he promises, that he does not care, the devotee, like Radha, should continue to wait and prepare to receive him.

See also
Collection: 
Indian Art
Type of artwork: 
Painting

Contact us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email [email protected].

To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.