Artwork
Krishna and Radha Avoid Embarrassment: Mottaita Bhava, from a Rasikapriya
Krishna and Radha Avoid Embarrassment: Mottaita Bhava, from a Rasikapriya is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a domestic interior rendered in vivid reds, blues and golds.
About this work
Overview
A male figure stands on the left, grasping a small object, while two women are seated together on a low platform that resembles a bed.
The work depicts a domestic interior rendered in vivid reds, blues and golds. A male figure stands on the left, grasping a small object, while two women are seated together on a low platform that resembles a bed. A peacock perches on a roof beyond a window, and a boat drifts on dark water visible in the background. Minimal furnishings—a plain wall, a small table and a red cushion—complete the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates a moment from the Rasikapriya narrative, focusing on Krishna and Radha’s attempt to avoid an awkward encounter, a theme known as mottaita bhava. The presence of the peacock and the boat, common motifs in devotional art, reinforces the romantic and playful atmosphere of the episode.
Technique & Style
Executed in a bold palette of reds, blues and gold, the painting employs flat areas of color and stylized outlines typical of Indian courtly painting. The surrounding text is integrated into the visual field in a flowing script, linking image and story in a single decorative plane.
History & Provenance
The piece originates from a manuscript illustration tradition associated with the Rasikapriya, a 17th‑century text on Krishna devotion. While the precise workshop is unknown, the work reflects the aesthetic conventions of North Indian miniature painting during the Mughal‑influenced period.
Artist & collection
