Krishna Offered Delicacies by a Peri c. early 18th century

Curator: This is "Krishna Offered Delicacies by a Peri," an anonymous work on view here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It seems unfinished, almost a sketch. The lines are so delicate, the colors so muted. Curator: Indeed, it appears to be an underdrawing. The visible lines reveal the artist's process, his initial intentions for the composition. Note the precise delineation of Krishna's figure versus the ethereal quality of the Peri. Editor: Right, the materiality—the very paper it's drawn on—speaks to a specific artistic practice, possibly instructional or preparatory. What strikes me, though, is how accessible this makes the divine seem. Curator: The lack of embellishment certainly invites intimacy, offering an unmediated view of both subject and artistic intention. Editor: This glimpse into the artist's labor and material choices really personalizes the divine narrative. Curator: An intriguing perspective, highlighting the intersection of the sacred and the mundane.