Who painted Radha and Krishna?

Radha and Krishna was painted by Unknown in 1885.

Where can I see Radha and Krishna?

Radha and Krishna is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Radha and Krishna?

Radha and Krishna is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Radha and Krishna

Unknown , 1885

Radha and Krishna is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The work is an opaque watercolor on paper created in 1885, portraying a serene encounter between two figures seated beneath a tree.

About this work

Overview

The work is an opaque watercolor on paper created in 1885, portraying a serene encounter between two figures seated beneath a tree. One figure gently touches the other's feet, suggesting a calming gesture. The composition is rendered with bold outlines and vivid hues, characteristic of a particular regional style of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts the mythological pair Radha and Krishna, with Radha soothing Krishna by placing her hand on his leg. The intimate pose and tranquil setting convey themes of devotion and emotional balance within the Hindu tradition.

Technique & Style

Executed in opaque watercolor, the painting employs strong contour lines and saturated colors, notably reds, yellows, and black‑white patterns. The visual language aligns with the Kalighat school of Bengal, known for its flat decorative surfaces and simplified forms.

History & Provenance

The piece entered the museum collection in 1894 after being purchased from Miss M. Steele. Steele's mother, a Sanskrit scholar at Cambridge, had inherited the work, and family recollection suggests the painting may have been acquired during a stay in India.

Context

Kalighat paintings emerged in late‑19th‑century Bengal as popular prints for devotional and secular subjects. This work reflects that tradition, integrating religious iconography with the accessible, graphic aesthetic typical of the genre.