Krishna and the Golden City of Dwarka, from the Harivamsha (Geneology of Vishnu)

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At A Glance

  • Period

    ca. 1585
  • Geography

    India
  • Material

    Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W (overall): 34.9 x 23.2 cm (13 3/4 x 9 1/8 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1954.6
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1954.6

Object Details

  • Artist

    Miskin (active late 1570s–ca. 1604)
  • Designer

    Kesu Kalan (active ca. 1570–1604)
  • Court

    Mughal Court
  • School/Tradition

    Mughal school
  • Provenance

    ?-1952
    H. Kevorkian, New York NY, method of acquisition unknown [1]
    1952-1954
    Kevorkian Foundation (established 1951), New York, NY, transferred from H. Kevorkian [2]
    From 1954
    Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from the Kevorkian Foundation through Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962) [3]
    Notes:
    [1] See object list titled “Works of Art at Freer Gallery of Art Washington, DC,” undated (ca. December 30, 1952), copy in object file. The object list is typed on “The Kevorkian Foundation” letterhead. The object was transferred from the Kevorkian Foundation, New York, NY, to the Freer Gallery of Art for acquisition consideration on December 30, 1952. Object is listed as dealer stock number 21F and is described as “Mughal painting depicting Krishna.”
    Research indicates that the Kevorkian Foundation’s objects were transferred from Hagop Kevorkian’s gallery’s stock and later from his personal collection.
    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962) was a dealer and collector of Islamic Art with eponymous galleries in New York and Paris.
    [2] See note 1.
    [3] See object file for copy of the Kevorkian Foundation invoice to Freer Gallery of Art, dated January 4, 1954, and marked approved on February 25, 1953. Object is described as “Mughal Painting, Krishna 21F.”
    Research updated January 9, 2024
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Body Image (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)
    Worlds within Worlds: Imperial Paintings from India and Iran (July 28 to September 16, 2012)
    Arts of the Indian Subcontinent and the Himalayas (October 16, 2004 to January 3, 2016)
    Masterworks of Indian Painting (December 13, 1997 to June 13, 1998)
    South and South East Asian Art (May 9, 1993 to February 7, 2000)
    The Arts of South Asia (May 13, 1985 to December 2, 1985)
    The Imperial Image: Painting for the Mughal Court (September 25, 1981 to 30 March 1982)
    Indian Art (January 1, 1963 to January 28, 1981)
  • Previous custodian or owner

    Hagop Kevorkian (1872-1962)
    Kevorkian Foundation (established 1951)
  • Origin

    India
  • Credit Line

    Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
  • Type

    Painting
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

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