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:
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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:
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CREATORS
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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:
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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).
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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).
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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:
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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