1950s Mid Century Tanjore Painting Krishna South India Indian Gold Thanjavur Framed Antique Vintage

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Tanjore* Painting Navaneeta KRISHNA Thanjavur

Approximate Dimensions: Framed: 35.75 x 30 x 2.5 inch. painting: 29.75 x 23.75 inch

Saturated … Read more Tanjore* Painting Navaneeta KRISHNA Thanjavur

Approximate Dimensions: Framed: 35.75 x 30 x 2.5 inch. painting: 29.75 x 23.75 inch

Saturated with rich colors, gold foil and semi-precious like poured glass stones, this classic Tanjore painting consists of a main figure of seated Krishna, flanked by Yashoda and Rohini.
The main figure of KRISHNA has a well rounded body, almond shaped eyes elaborate jewellery and traditionally draped silk clothes.

This image of the child Krishna, sitting on his golden throne with the pot of butter in his tiny hands, a form widely known as Navaneeta Krishna, is a favorite theme with Tanjore artists. The image is essentially votive but the artist has neither mystified nor mythicised him, rather a secular spirit pervades it. Here the plumpish looking child, Krishna, as if cast of molten gold, is more a lovable child rather than a divine image. Elaborately bejeweled all over his person but without a piece of costume to cover his privacy, the Navaneeta Krishna does not so much impress by his civility as he delights with his quaintness and child-like innocence. With mischief in eyes and a bewitching smile on lips, he has not only grabbed the pot of butter but has also taken out a butter-ball, which he might put in his mouth any time!

His pranks reveal His essence

Krishna’s theft of butter - Navneeta Krishna
Krishna is condemned as a thief who stole butter from the cowherd maidens, but the butter represents the bhakti of the heart obtained after the process of churning. It is a question of a symbol being taken as literally true. He is chittachor (the stealer of hearts). The thief steals at night, in the darkness, without awakening the master. But when this divine thief steals, He wakes the master and tells him that He has come. The victim is left supremely happy and satisfied.

The composition of this painting presents the various figures as if they were standing on a stage bracketed by pillars. Yashoda twists her statuesque body, giving it a sense of three-dimensionality, and her face is shown in perfect profile. The formal elegance of Tanjore paintings such as this one is the product of European influence

This formal composition of the popular deity is housed in an enclosure created by means of an arch adorned with elaborately decorated curtains and a gold border.

The painting uses gesso, colors, Gold foil, semi-precious like poured glass stones and colored stones to highlight various aspects of the painting - ornaments, dresses and hair. The details on the clothes, jewelry, facial expressions, background and surrounding border are exquisite for a painting of this size.
A breathtakingly beautiful painting, the impact in a darkened room is that of a glowing presence.
Traditional Tanjore paintings are possessed as heirlooms.

Material: Wood, gesso, paint, gold foil, semi precious like poured glass stones
Framed in a gold gilt wood frame with museum quality non reflective glass. ready to hang

*Tanjore painting is a major form of classical South Indian painting from the town of Thanjavur (anglicized as Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu, India. The art form dates back to about 1600 AD, a period when the Nayakas of Thanjavur encouraged art—chiefly, classical dance and music—as well as literature, both in Telugu and Tamil.

Tanjore paintings are known for their surface richness, vivid colors, compact composition and especially the glittering gold foils used to give the paintings their rich look . Essentially serving as devotional icons, the subjects of most paintings are Hindu gods, goddesses, and saints.
Episodes from Hindu tradition are drawn upon as elaborations of the main figure or figures placed in the central section of the picture. Tanjore paintings are panel paintings done on solid wood planks.
In modern times, these paintings have become souvenirs of festive occasions in South India, pieces to decorate walls, and collectors' items for art lovers See less