The Hindu deity Krishna overcoming the serpent Kaliya
Artist
Baua Devi
(Indian, b. 1944)
Place of OriginBihar state, India
Date1988
MaterialsInk on paper
DimensionsH. 22 in x W. 30 in, H. 55.9 cm x W. 76.2 cm (overall)
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1999.39.16
DepartmentSouth Asian Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on viewBaua Devi, today one of the Mithila region’s senior artists, paints in a distinctive style with bold compositions and strong graphic qualities. Here, she depicts a well-loved story of the Hindu god Krishna overcoming the five-headed serpent king Kaliya.
In this painting, Baua Devi’s serpent king—rather than Krishna—becomes the painting’s central focus. The artist’s imaginative rendering of her subject, along with her arrangement of negative spaces rhythmically balanced by heavy and fine black lines and delicate filler motifs, transforms the serpent king into a majestic being.
Nagas (serpents or snakes) prominently appear in many paintings by Baua Devi and other Mithila artists. Snakes, especially the hooded cobra, are considered dangerous yet auspicious semidivine beings, and they occupy an important place in Mithila’s devotional practices.
In this painting, Baua Devi’s serpent king—rather than Krishna—becomes the painting’s central focus. The artist’s imaginative rendering of her subject, along with her arrangement of negative spaces rhythmically balanced by heavy and fine black lines and delicate filler motifs, transforms the serpent king into a majestic being.
Nagas (serpents or snakes) prominently appear in many paintings by Baua Devi and other Mithila artists. Snakes, especially the hooded cobra, are considered dangerous yet auspicious semidivine beings, and they occupy an important place in Mithila’s devotional practices.
Subject
- snake
approx. 1400-1500
