Krishna Subdues the Serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River: Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series 1770 - 1790

This drawing by Nainsukh, created around the mid-18th century, depicts Krishna's subjugation of the serpent Kaliya. Rendered in delicate lines on a tan ground, the composition is divided into distinct zones, setting up a visual hierarchy. The top register shows onlookers, detailed with a series of rhythmic figures, balanced by Krishna in the Yamuna River below, struggling with the many-headed serpent. Nainsukh's draughtsmanship captures the dynamism of the scene, with the serpent's coils and Krishna's active pose conveying both the struggle and the divine hero's eventual triumph. The economical use of line emphasizes form and action, embodying a narrative with minimal means. Consider the compositional strategy, how Nainsukh uses the figures and their placement within the frame to guide the viewer's eye. The unfinished quality adds another layer, exposing the artistic process. This piece is less about conventional beauty, and more about structure, narrative, and the power of understated elegance.