Markandeya Viewing Krishna in the Cosmic Oceanc. 1680 · Study 1967.241

Context from the museum

The anonymous court artist from a Hindu kingdom in the foothills of the Himalaya mountains has chosen a web of concentric abstract shapes to represent the cosmic ocean as the backdrop for this elegant, striking composition. The sage Markandeya received the dubious gift of immortality, so even after the destruction and dissolution of the world and all its creatures, he must carry on exhausted and alone through the cosmic ocean until the next world cycle begins. At one point in the darkness he saw a branch from a banyan tree floating on the ocean’s surface, and with awe he saw the infant Krishna on one leaf, sucking his toe. When Markandeya looked into his mouth, he saw the entire universe as it was and as it will be. This story and imagery shows that with the destruction of the universe comes the infancy of evolution, and creation will begin anew.

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

A detail to notice

Sherman E. Lee, who was the director of the Cleveland Museum of Art from 1958 until 1983, and his wife Ruth donated this painting.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Markandeya Viewing Krishna in the Cosmic Ocean is 10 cm wide and 15.2 cm high, equivalent to approximately 3.9 × 6.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.66:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.02 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 3.3% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 145.0 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 Markandeya Viewing Krishna in the Cosmic Ocean in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 10 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?