INDIA, DELHI OR AGRA, CIRCA 1525-50

The dispersed series of Bhagavata Purana folios are considered the most important extant Hindu paintings from the pre-Mughal period, although the exact dating remains a matter of scholarly debate. The text of the Bhagavata Purana was written in its present form during the 9th-10th century and comprises 18,000 verses divided into twelve books. The tenth book describes Krishna's early life including his childish pranks and amorous adventures. This folio illustrates part of an episode from the 62nd chapter of this book. As a whole, this series is painted in an early and indigenous style referred to as Chaurapanchasika, after a 16th century Ahmedabad love poem. The style is characterized by bold color planes mostly in red and indigo and facial features with eyes rendered in thick black line. Other leaves from this series can be found at The Art Institute of Chicago; the Virgina Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the San Diego Museum of Art; and varied private collections.