Manjit Bawa

Oil on canvas (36 x 54 inches)

The Krishna series occupies a central and deeply poetic place in the oeuvre of Manjit Bawa, representing the artist’s lifelong engagement with Indian mythology, classical aesthetics, and spiritual humanism. Among these works, Krishna depicted with cows stands out as one of Bawa’s most iconic and philosophically rich themes.

For Manjit Bawa, Krishna was not treated as a narrative or illustrative deity but as an eternal, contemplative presence. Rooted in Indian classical sculpture, Pahari miniature traditions, and temple iconography, Bawa’s Krishna is timeless, removed from specific episodes of mythology and instead positioned as a symbol of divine harmony. The cows, inseparable from Krishna’s pastoral identity, embody gentleness, abundance, innocence, and a sacred bond between humanity, nature, and the divine.

Visually, the Krishna–cow compositions are marked by Bawa’s signature minimalism. Figures are rendered with rounded, sculptural volumes, simplified anatomy, and serene expressions. Set against luminous monochromatic backgrounds, often in warm ochres, blues, or earthy tones, the compositions radiate calm and balance. There is an intentional absence of background detail, allowing the relationship between Krishna and the cows to become the sole focus. This visual restraint transforms the scene into a meditative space rather than a narrative tableau. The cow in Bawa’s work is never ornamental. It is a spiritual equal, calm, grounded, and dignified. Together, Krishna and the cow form a symbolic axis of compassion, protection, and coexistence. Art historians have often noted that these works reflect Bawa’s belief in purity of form and thought, where divinity is expressed through stillness rather than drama.

Within Indian modernism, Manjit Bawa’s Krishna series with cows represents a rare synthesis of modernist abstraction and classical Indian spirituality. These works are among the most recognisable and sought-after in his corpus, celebrated for their timeless quality and universal appeal.

They transcend religious imagery to become visual meditations on harmony, making them deeply relevant across cultures and generations. In essence, Manjit Bawa’s Krishna with cows is not merely a depiction of myth, it is a quiet invocation of balance, compassion, and the sacred rhythm of life itself.

Dubai Estimate: $800,000 – $1,200,000 USD

Location of item: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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