Krishna asks for sweets, from a Sursagar of Surdas (Indian, c. 1480–1580)1705–10 · Study 1984.172

Context from the museum

The heart of the scene is at the lower right, where the blue Hindu god Krishna as a boy is trying to persuade his foster mother Yashoda to give him more food. He is in the process of telling her that he needs extra treats so he can grow big to accomplish all the exploits depicted in the remainder of the page: herding cattle, killing demons, defeating wrestlers, and finally winning the throne of Mathura, as seen in the upper right where he sits crowned king in place of his evil uncle Kamsa.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

In the hut at the lower left sits the blind poet, author of the verse at the top of the page.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Krishna asks for sweets, from a Sursagar of Surdas (Indian, c. 1480–1580) is 25.4 cm wide and 36.5 cm high, equivalent to approximately 10.0 × 14.4 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.70:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.09 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 8.5% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 137.3 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Krishna asks for sweets, from a Sursagar of Surdas (Indian, c. 1480–1580) in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 25.4 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?