Images(3)

Bala Krishna, dancing

Dateca. 15th century

Label TextKrishna, the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, is among the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon. His blue skin and mischievous nature have captured the imaginations of countless artists. Here we see Krishna as the dancing butter thief on a lotus pedestal. In his right hand he holds a ball of butter which he has stolen from the gopis or milkmaids. His divine play with the gopis is symbolic of the love of Krishna for all of humanity.

Object number51.117

Exhibition HistoryProvidence, R.I., Rhode Island School of Design, "Bronzes of India & Greater India," (1955) University of Oregon, Eugene, "Dance in Art," (1963) Portland, Oregon, Portland Art Museum, "Gift to a City: Masterworks from the Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection in the Seattle Art Museum", (1965) cat. # 84 Art Gallery, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, "Krishna in Miniatures, Bronze and Stone," (1966) Sydney, Australia, Art Gallery of New South Wales, "Dancing To The Flute: Music and Dance In Indian Art", June 12 - August 24, 1997, 6/12-8/24/1997 Published References"Handbook, Seattle Art Museum: Selected Works from the Permanent Collections." Seattle, WA: Seattle Art Museum, 1951, p. 32 (b&w) Lee, Sherman. "Some Little-known Indian Bronzes," in The Art Quarterly, XVII, No. 1 (Spring 1954), pp. 28-29, not illus. University of Oregon, Eugene, "Dance in Art," Cat. (1963), no. 8, p. 11; p. 12, illus. "Gift to a City" exhibition catalogue. Portland, OR: Portland Art Museum, 1965, cat. no. 84 Lauck, Anthony. "A Krishna at Notre Dame," in Art Journal, Vol. 25, No. 4 (Summer 1966), pp. 384, 386, 388; p. 388, fig. 5 Spaeth, Eloise. "American Art Museums," (1969), p. 291, ill.; label on p. 266 Pal, Pratapaditya, ed. "Dancing To The Flute: Music and Dance In Indian Art", Sydney: The Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1997. Fig. 32b, page 80

Credit LineEugene Fuller Memorial Collection

Dimensions25 1/2 x 15 1/2 in. (64.8 x 39.4 cm)

MediumBronze