Cleveland Museum of Art

Sri Nathaji

Date

c. 1900

Medium

Gum tempera on paper

Culture

Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Kota

Department

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This painted depiction of the black stone sculpture regarded by followers of the Pushti Marg sect as Shri Nathji, a living embodiment of Krishna, includes all the elements carved into the monolithic stele behind the figure. Snakes, beasts, and yogis occupy a wild, rocky landscape. Priests have dressed the figure in light garments, indicative of a hot season, and applied a turban, jewelry, and eyes, which look down upon devotees who would be worshiping at his feet. This painting probably stood on a domestic shrine for daily devotions and served as a memento of a pilgrimage to Nathdwara.

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