Krishna Rajagopalaswamy, king of the cowherds Tirupati School, South India late 18th century This diminutive painting celebrates Krishna as king of the cowherds—a form of the divinity unique to the Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu. It is a work of tender devotion, immediate in its celebration of Krishna as the pastoral protector of cows. Painted in a seemingly folkish style that belies its sophistication, this powerful image was likely painted in Tirupati, the great Vaishnava temple and pilgrimage center in southern Andhra Pradesh as part of a series celebrating the childhood
Krishna Rajagopalaswamy, king of the cowherds Tirupati School, South India late 18th century This diminutive painting celebrates Krishna as king of the cowherds—a form of the divinity unique to the Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu. It is a work of tender devotion, immediate in its celebration of Krishna as the pastoral protector of cows. Painted in a seemingly folkish style that belies its sophistication, this powerful image was likely painted in Tirupati, the great Vaishnava temple and pilgrimage center in southern Andhra Pradesh as part of a series celebrating the childhood and youth of Krishna. Wearing the distinctive turban of a cowherd and leaning nonchalantly on a crutch, he grasps a punch-dagger in his left hand; in his right he holds a lotus and a herdsman’s whip. This stylized serpentine device with a snake terminal here assumes the status of a royal scepter. A bow is slung over his left shoulder; a quiver is visible behind the other. Devotees who stay overnight in prayer at his temple believe they earn merit equivalent to gifting 1000 cows! View more. Krishna Rajagopalaswamy, king of the cowherds. Tirupati School, South India. South India, Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati. late 18th century. Opaque watercolor and hand-colored silver on paper. Paintings
Size: 2652px × 3712px
Photo credit: © MET/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords:
