The Slaying of Vatsasura
Artist/Culture
Central Indian
Artist/Culture
Malwa
Date1630-1640
Mediumwatercolor on paper
Dimensions20.2 x 15.9 cm (7 15/16 x 6 1/4 in.)
ClassificationsNon-Western Miniatures
Credit LineGift of Alexander H. Bullock
Object number1954.152
Label TextIn late childhood, Krishna was allowed to join other young cowherds in the fields. One day Vatsasura, a demon who had taken the form of a calf, tried to mingle with the herd, but the young god seized it by the hind leg, whirled it around, and then dashed it to death.
This is one of the earliest works showing the standard idioms of Malwa painting that developed after the Mughal conquest. The central background of scarlet, wavy white line along the horizon, stylized lollipop trees, simple figures, and liveliness of Krishna place the work at the beginning of the Malwa revival.
ProvenanceAlexander H. Bullock, Worcester MAOn View
Not on view
