Maharao Durjan Sal of Kota Plaiting Krishna's Hair

The painting depicts Maharao Durjan Sal of Kota (r. 1723-1756) plaiting Krishna’s hair. The Maharao is distinguished by his double-pearl earring, elaborate dress and jewelry, and halo bordering his profile. Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, revered as a god in his own right. The enthroned blue-skinned deity also bears double-pearl earring, jewelry, and halo. Krishna gesters to a priest seated cross-legged in front of him, who wears a translucent shawl and white skirt. Three other figures face Krishna, either seated or standing. An attendant near the throne carries a long sword over his left shoulder. Behind Durjan Sal is an attendant carrying a fan made of peacock feathers. The depiction of Krishna refers to Brijnathji, a local form of Krishna that was the family deity of the royal family of Kota. Brijnathji is frequently rendered either accompanying a ruler or participating in Kota courtly activities, conflates the deity with the ruler, fostering the concept of the “divine king”, and demonstrates a direct relationship between the king and god. Rajput Style.