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Krishna Subdues the Serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River: Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series

Nainsukh

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image depicts a sketch on aged paper with a reddish-brown drawing. The drawing is divided into two sections. The top section shows a group of people standing and one person playing a musical instrument. The people are wearing long robes and appear to be standing still. The bottom section features a large serpent with a human-like face and a person on its body. The serpent has a large head with a mouth and what appears to be hair or fins on top. The person on the serpent's body appears to be reaching out. A smaller figure appears to be emerging from the water in the bottom right corner. The background of the paper is stained and worn, with visible signs of aging.

Artwork details

Date:
ca. 1780
Medium:
Ink and wash on paper
Culture:
India (Pahari Hills, Guler or Kangra)
Dimensions:
545 × 625 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette