Young Krishna: The Adventures of an Indian God & The Opulence of the World: Masterpieces of Indian Painting from the Metzger Donation at Museum Rietberg

Jarasandha besieges Mathura
Folio 43 from a Bhagavata Purana series (BhP 10.50), India, Bundelkhand, Datia, ca. 1635–50, gift of Horst Metzger, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (RVI 1923)

Young Krishna

The Adventures of an Indian God

November 17, 2023 — March 24, 2024

A child who plays pranks on his parents; a lad for whom the hearts of local cowgirls beat faster; a young man drawing on his divine powers to do battle with superior demonic forces – such is the stuff that to this day captures the imagination of people in India and beyond. No other Hindu deities are associated with as many tales about their childhood and youth as Krishna is. Over the centuries, such traditional tales were not only handed down in oral or written form. Painters from all parts of India also produced works based on them, often as comprehensive series of pictures.

The god’s adventures are brought to life in our exhibition, retold through paintings produced in central India between the 17th and 18th centuries. Vibrant images characterized by strong geometrical forms and a fondness for symmetry and rich detail, they often recall the comics of today in their compositional style. Our exhibition also explores the religious significance of the items and explains the role art can play in narrative and religious practice — after all, these paintings are intended to rouse emotions in devotees and bring them closer to the divine. It is a complex and esthetic interplay of image, storytelling, faith, and Indian artistic sense.

The paintings are from the collection of Eva and Konrad Seitz, complemented by items from the Museum’s own collections.

Learn more

Exhibition Highlights

Krishna is born on earth
Folio 8 from a Bhagavata Purana series (BhP 10.3.1–46), India, Bundelkhand, Orchha, ca. 1690–1700, permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2021.124)

Krishna finds the lost jewel
Folio 25 from a Bhagavata Purana series (BhP 10.56.22–45), India, Bundelkhand, Panna, ca. 1690–1700, permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2021.142)

The donkey demon attacks Krishna and his friends
Folio 21 from a Bhagavata Purana series (BhP 10.15.1–46), India, Bundelkhand, Datia, ca. 1635–50, permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2021.105)

Krishna destroys the cart
Folio 4 from a Bhagavata Purana series (BhP 10.7.3–12), India, Bundelkhand, Orchha, ca. 1645–50, permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2021.65)

The Brahman women bring food to Krishna
Folio 36 from the “Bir Singh Bhagavata Purana series” (BhP 10.23), India, Bundelkhand, Orchha, ca. 1605–15, permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2019.477)

Krishna steals the clothes of the bathing girls
Folio 24 from a Bhagavata Purana series (BhP 10.22), India, Bundelkhand, Datia, ca. 1635–50, permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2021.106)

Krishna conquers the demon Agha
Folio 27 from the “Bir Singh Bhagavata Purana series” (BhP 10.12.1–39), India, Bundelkhand, Orchha, ca. 1605–15, gift of Eberhard and Barbara Fischer, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2023.16)

Kamsa learns who Krishna really is
Folio 98 from the “Sarabhai Bhagavata Purana series” (BhP 10.36.16–40), India, Bundelkhand, Panna, ca. 1825–50 (probably painted by artists from Nathdwara after a model from the seventeenth century), permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2021.135)

Krishna’s parents are overjoyed
Folio 18 from the “Sarabhai Bhagavata Purana series” (BhP 10.6.30–34), India, Bundelkhand, Panna, ca. 1825–1850 (probably painted by artists from Nathdwara after a model from the seventeenth century), permanent loan from Eva and Konrad Seitz, Museum Rietberg, Zurich (2021.133)

The Opulence of the World

Masterpieces of Indian Painting from the Metzger Donation

September 21, 2023 — January 21, 2024

In 2001, Horst Metzger bequeathed to the Museum Rietberg his magnificent collection of 250 Indian paintings from the 15th to the early 19th century, 62 of which are now on display. These paintings were produced by courtly painters and workshops mainly for royal or other distinguished patrons in Rajasthan, Pahari region, and other erstwhile Indian kingdoms. Most of their themes are based on courtly activities, classical poems, and epics. They are among the most beautiful works of art produced in South Asia during these centuries.

The pictures were executed on handmade paper with very fine brushes made of soft squirrel and sable hair. The colors were made from mineral, organic or chemically produced pigments mixed with water and a binder, usually gum arabic. They were applied in several thin layers and then polished with a smooth agate stone. In addition, the painters applied powdered or leaf gold or silver foil on the painted surface.

Other than the portraits and courtly subjects, series or sets of paintings often illustrated poetic or religious texts. Preserved in princely libraries and in special painting storerooms within the palaces, these paintings were viewed by the royal families and guests in their leisure hours or during festivals or other special occasions.

The exhibition The Opulence of the World presents a selection of masterpieces from the Metzger Collection. With their narrative charm, richness of detailed depictions, they invite you to take a magnifying glass in your hand to embark on a journey of exploring many worlds in these pictorial worlds. This exhibition is also a celebration of some of the known while some not yet identified master painters from India.

Learn more