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A Demon Warrior Worships Devi

Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Sirohi School

Artwork Details

A Demon Warrior Worships Devi
18th century
Artist Unknown, India, Rajasthan, Sirohi School
ink, watercolor, and gold on paper
5 in x 9 in (12.7 cm x 22.86 cm);14 in x 18 in (35.56 cm x 45.72 cm);5 in x 9 in (12.7 cm x 22.86 cm)
Gift of Professor Walter M. and Nesta R. Spink
1985/2.139

On Display

Not currently on display

Description

A wild-eyed demon warrior, armed with bow and sword, kneels to offer homage to Devi, the Goddess. She sits regally in carved marble shrine, holding a trident in one of her four arms. This scene is from a manuscript of the Devimahatmya, a text of praise to the goddess in many forms.
Sirohi, where this painting was executed, was quite far from the center of imperial Mughal power, and so the painting style practiced there retained many features of pre-Mughal art. The palette is bright and the drawing bold.
Exhibited in "Divine Encounters, Earthly Pleasures: Twenty Centuries of Indian Art" at UMMA, 12/12/03–2/22/04.

Subject Matter:

A wild-eyed demon warrior, armed with bow and sword, kneels to offer homage to Devi, the Goddess. She sits regally in carved marble shrine, holding a trident in one of her four arms. This scene is from a manuscript of the Devimahatmya, a text of praise to the goddess in many forms.

Physical Description:

The painting is part of a manuscript page. The painting occupies the left side of the page while the text occupies the panel on the right. The painting features Devi in the foreground who receives a demon warrior. Devi holds a white trident in one of her four arms while another arm holds a cup. She sits in front of a domed white marble structure, facing the demon warrior, who has a sword and bow and arrow.

Usage Rights:

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