Pradyumna and Mayavati Fly to Dvaraka, from the Large Basohli Bhagavata Puranac. 1760–65 · Study 1971.93

Context from the museum

A goddess who can fly, Mayavati brings her lover Pradyumna to be reunited with his parents for the first time since he was an infant, when he was kidnapped by a demon who was her husband. Having just slain the demon, they can be together and return to the palace where he was born. Pradyumna is the son of Krishna, and also an incarnation of the god of love, Kama. Mayavati is an incarnation of Rati, the goddess of erotic love. Later, Pradyumna also marries his cousin Rukmavati.

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

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected image measurement for Pradyumna and Mayavati Fly to Dvaraka, from the Large Basohli Bhagavata Purana is 38.5 cm wide and 28.1 cm high, equivalent to approximately 15.2 × 11.1 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.37:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.11 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 12.8% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 130.8 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 Pradyumna and Mayavati Fly to Dvaraka, from the Large Basohli Bhagavata Purana 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 horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 38.5 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?