Artwork

The Infant Krishna Spirited Away by Vasudev, page from the Dispersed Bhagavatapurana manuscript

The Infant Krishna Spirited Away by Vasudev, page from the Dispersed Bhagavatapurana manuscript is an unspecified painting by the Mughal Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1537 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The work titled “The Infant Krishna Spirited Away by Vasudev” is a painted page from the dispersed Bhagavatapurana manuscript.

About this work

Overview

The work titled “The Infant Krishna Spirited Away by Vasudev” is a painted page from the dispersed Bhagavatapurana manuscript. Executed on paper, it depicts a narrative scene rendered in vivid hues of red, blue, yellow and darker tones. The composition is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates a mythological episode involving the infant deity Krishna. In the foreground a man dressed in blue and white stands beside a woman in a blue garment, while the newborn lies on a nearby bed. A large white serpent occupies the background, suggesting the divine rescue motif associated with Krishna’s early life.

Technique & Style

The painting employs traditional Indian miniature techniques, with fine brushwork that defines intricate costumes and architectural details. The palette combines bright primary colors with subdued shades, creating visual contrast between the foreground figures and the stylized background elements such as the red‑black wall and the golden‑capped dome.

History & Provenance

Originally part of a larger Bhagavatapurana manuscript, the page became separated from its companion folios over time, a common fate for Indian illustrated texts. It entered the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection through acquisition in the twentieth century, though specific details of its prior ownership remain undocumented.

Context

The Bhagavatapurana, a key Purāṇic text, narrates the life of Krishna and was frequently illustrated in courtly settings during the medieval period. This particular scene reflects the devotional emphasis on Krishna’s miraculous childhood, a theme that resonated across regional artistic traditions.