'Yasoda Holding Krishna and Radha' Canvas Cloth Print, c.1890

Provenance

Yasoda holds Krishna and Radha together in her arms, a composition that places the two great figures of Vaishnava devotion within a single maternal frame. The image draws on the deep tradition of depicting Krishna's childhood and his bond with his foster mother Yasoda, while also looking forward to his adult relationship with Radha.

The painting is from the Kalighat school of Kolkata, a tradition that emerged in the early 19th century around the great pilgrimage site of Kalighat. Kalighat painters worked in a rapidly evolving urban context, and their style reflects that energy: broad, confident brushwork, simplified forms, and bold outlines that gave the figures an immediacy suited to a wide audience.

The Kalighat tradition is distinctive within Indian painting for its directness and its willingness to compress narrative. Where court painters elaborated scenes with architectural detail and landscape, Kalighat painters cleared the field and placed their subjects front and centre.

Disclaimer:

• The frames shown are for display purposes only and are not included with the artwork.
• As these are made-to-order designer pieces, expect minor colour variations from the displayed artwork.