id:			142546
accession number:	1966.29
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/1966.29
updated:		2023-03-10 19:43:03.842000

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
	<i>Life and Exploits of Krishna in Indian Paintings (Indian art rotation)</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 1, 2021-February 6, 2022).

---

LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

* <em>Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115)</em>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 4–August 5, 2003).

* <em>Indian Miniature Rotation (Gallery 115)</em>. 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.<br> <br>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. <em>Indian Miniature Paintings and Drawings</em>. 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