Devi Tripurasundari, folio from a Mahavidya series

Seated on the pale white naked body of Shiva, the four-armed black skinned Devi holds a whisk, scissors, gold lota and white cup. She is clad in conventional skirt and top and a transparent shawl and wears a golden crown and lavish jewels. The couple are set on a raised marble platform with a canopy and surrounded by delicate foliage by a river.

Maker(s)
Artist: School of Sanju (Kangra and Mandi, India)
Historical period(s)
ca. 1800
School
School of Sajnu
Medium
Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
H x W (overall): 24.5 × 16.5 cm (9 5/8 × 6 1/2 in) H x W (painting): 21.6 × 13.4 cm (8 1/2 × 5 1/4 in)
Geography
India, Himachal Pradesh state, Mandi
Credit Line
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection — funds provided by the Friends of the Freer and Sackler Galleries
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Accession Number
S2018.1.65
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Painting
Type

Painting

Keywords
Devi, India, pavilion, Ralph and Catherine Benkaim collection, Shiva
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Seated on the pale white naked body of Shiva, the four-armed black skinned Devi holds a whisk, scissors, gold lota and white cup. She is clad in conventional skirt and top and a transparent shawl and wears a golden crown and lavish jewels. The couple are set on a raised marble platform with a canopy and surrounded by delicate foliage by a river.

Collection Area(s)
South Asian and Himalayan Art
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