Painting study · Tempera
Sakhi persuades Radha to meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadevac. 1820–25 · Study 1989.334
Purkhu (Indian, 1750–1860)
c. 1820–25
Recorded as gum tempera and gold on paper, this horizontal work measures 32.1 × 24.1 cm using the museum’s overall dimensions. Explore the museum’s context and compare the format with a wall of your choice.
Museum collection reference. This work is not offered for sale by Physical Art For Crypto. Museum attribution does not imply a partnership or endorsement.
Context from the museum
While all the cowherd girls were in love with Krishna, he had a favorite according to texts of the 1200s and later. Her name was Radha, and she and Krishna would meet for secret trysts in the forest, facilitated by her sakhi , or confidante. Krishna is shown twice in this painting. At the right he is in the process of making a bed of leaves for their upcoming encounter, and in the middle, he spies on Radha, wearing orange and gold. The sakhi is encouraging Radha to go and meet Krishna, since he is pining for her.
Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.
A detail to notice
According to the text, Krishna softly plays his flute and weaves his beloved Radha's name into the melody.
Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Read the dimensions before the image
The selected overall measurement for Sakhi persuades Radha to meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadeva is 32.1 cm wide and 24.1 cm high, equivalent to approximately 12.6 × 9.5 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.33:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.08 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 10.7% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 133.9 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 Sakhi persuades Radha to meet Krishna, from a Gita Govinda (Song of the Cowherd) of Jayadeva in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, gum tempera and gold on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.
- Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
- Would a 32.1 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?
Explore physical scale
How large would this format feel on your wall?
Use this museum work’s recorded format as a reference. Adjust a blank wall and optional frame allowance to compare proportions. The museum painting is an educational reference and is not for sale here.
Calculation: outside width = recorded width + twice your frame allowance. This is a proportion study, not an installation assessment. It excludes furniture, hardware, load capacity, depth and delivery clearance. The display image may include margins absent from the recorded measurement.
Compare formats with the studio collection
These Lei-Kol works have the closest width-to-height ratios in the current catalog. This is a geometry comparison, not a claim of artistic similarity, equivalent value, or association with the museum artist.
| Painting | Width × height | Format ratio | USD catalog price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bipolar | 60 × 48 in | 1.25:1 | $3,499 |
| Brick and Mortar | 60 × 48 in | 1.25:1 | $3,499 |
| Dominion | 60 × 48 in | 1.25:1 | $3,499 |
Availability and delivery costs must be confirmed for the individual order.
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