c. 1525-1540

Krishna and Balarama Arrive in the Streets of Mathura

When Krishna and his brother Balarama arrive in the city of Mathura, the townswomen rush to the roofs of their houses to throw flower garlands. As the brothers proceed through the streets they meet the white-bearded garland-maker Sudama, who pays them homage. Rectangular divisions of the painted field are common in early paintings like this one; here they separate the scenes into shops, courtyards, artisans' stalls, a parklike space where yogis debate, and the crossroads where the focal meeting occurs. The city is defined by the Yamuna River along the left border and the crenellated walls on the right.