The Gracious manifestation of Devi

Object Details

• School/Tradition

  Rajput school

• Provenance

  At least 1916-1923

  Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (1877-1947), method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1923

  Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, “Rajput Painting,” [book] (London: H. Milford, Oxford University Press, 1916), pl. VII. Object is described as, "The gracious manifestation of Devi. [...]. Collection of the author."

  Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy was an art historian, curator, and collector of South Asian art. Born in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Coomaraswamy grew up in England where he received a doctorate in geology. Coomaraswamy was active as a geologist until 1910, when he switched his interest to the arts of Ceylon and India. He became deeply committed to introducing Western audiences to Indian art. In 1917, he accepted a curatorial post at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he remained until his death.

  [2] See object file for copy of The National Commission of Fine Arts purchase list, dated December 14, 1923, marked as approved on December 15, 1923. Object is one of the “7 Rajput paintings” described.

  Research updated October 20, 2023

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings, Gallery 7 (January 10, 1945 to October 2, 1947)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian Paintings, Gallery 4 (May 5, 1933 to January 9, 1945)

  Untitled Exhibition, South Asian and Persian Art (March 24, 1930 to March 14, 1931)

  Near Eastern Pottery and Persian Painting (May 2, 1923 to March 14, 1931)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Dr. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy (1877-1947)

• Origin

  Rajasthan state, India

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1600s, 1900s

• Name

  Coomaraswamy, Ananda K.

• Place

  Rajasthan state, India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Art, Devi (Hindu deity)

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Paintings