KANGRA, PUNJAB HILLS, NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1820-40

Details

KRISHNA SLAYS BAKASURA
KANGRA, PUNJAB HILLS, NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1820-40
Opaque pigments heightened with gold on paper, within blue floral borders and pink margins, laid down on card, the reverse plain
Painting 7 ½ x 9 ½in. (19.1 x 24.1cm.); folio 10 ¼ x 12 3/8in. (26.1 x 31.5cm.)

Special notice

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.

Conditions of sale

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batighi@christies.com +44 20 7389 2509

Lot Essay

This painting depicts a well-known scene from a Bhagavata Purana series where Krishna battles with a demon sent by Kamsa. Kamsa made several attempts on Krishna's life by sending a number of demons, and among them was Bakasura, the Heron Demon. While the cowherds of Brindavan were leading their cows to bathe in the Yamuna river, Bakasura attacked, swallowing Krishna. However, Krishna radiated so much heat that Bakasura was forced to regurgitate him and set him free. Krishna then seized the demon’s beak and tore it apart, while the cowherds gazed on in awe of Krishna’s other worldly strength.

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