id: 142546 accession number: 1966.29 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1966.29 updated: 2023-08-23 22:05:08.629000 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 title: Krishna Vanquishing the Crane-Demon Bakasura title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: late 1700s creation date earliest: 1750 creation date latest: 1799 current location: creditline: John L. Severance Fund copyright: --- culture: Southern India, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati technique: gum tempera and gold on paper department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art collection: Indian Art type: Painting find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 27.8 x 19.7 cm (10 15/16 x 7 3/4 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS title: Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation) opening date: 2021-09-01T04:00:00 Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 1, 2021-February 6, 2022). --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS * Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 4–August 5, 2003). * Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (August 18, 2004–May 23, 2005). --- PROVENANCE (J.J. Klejman [1906–1995], New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) date: ?–1966 footnotes: citations: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH date: 1966– footnotes: citations: --- fun fact: The true form of the crane-demon tumbles out from the backside of the distressed bird. digital description: 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. wall description: As a young child Krishna killed a demon in the guise of a crane by pulling apart his beak with his superhuman strength, causing the demon to excrete his true form. The crane-demon had been dispatched by Krishna’s wicked uncle, King Kamsa, who had heard a prophecy that Krishna would be responsible for the ruler’s death.

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. --- RELATED WORKS id: 142535 Krishna Stealing Curds, late 1700s. Southern India, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati. Gum tempera and gold on paper; overall: 27.7 x 19.3 cm (10 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1966.28 relationship: --- CITATIONS Leach, Linda York. Indian Miniature Paintings and Drawings. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art in cooperation with Indiana University Press, 1986. page number: cat. no. 101ii url: --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1966.29/1966.29_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1966.29/1966.29_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1966.29/1966.29_full.tif