painting;
album
- Museum number
- 1992,0410,0.1.46
- Description
-
Gouache painting on paper, part of an album of seventy paintings of Indian deities. Indra rides in state on his elegantly caparisoned elephant Airāvata. He is shown with four arms and eyes are painted on his body. In his upper hands he carries two swords, probably symbolizing the vajra (thunderbolt), his characteristic weapon. In his lower right hand he carries the ankusha (elephant goad) and his lower left is empty.
- Production date
- 1830 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 21.50 centimetres
-
Width: 17 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Dallapiccola 2010:
An album of seventy paintings of Indian gods, including the unusual inclusion of the myth of Trishira, Ravana’s brother, who is said to be the founder of the city of Tiruchirappalli (1992,0410,0.1.49 & 1992,0410,0.1.53). This suggests that the album was produced in Tiruchirappalli. The album includes inscribed commentary from three different people. The first commentator attempts to identify each of the paintings and sometimes draws parallels with Egyptian mythology. The second commentator expands on these identifications and attempts to draw comparisons with classical mythology, whilst the third commentator is interested in the various sectarian marks that characterize Shaivas and Vaishnavas. The images retain the brilliant colour of the paint, evidence of the album having been kept closed for long periods since its creation. The buckram binding of the album is stamped with the words ‘Hindu Deities’.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1992
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1992,0410,0.1.46