Artwork
Narasimha Avatara
Narasimha Avatara is a paint painting by Karpuri Devi. It dates from 1974 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Narasimha Avatara is a painting by Devi Karpuri, created using black and red ink on paper. It represents a significant example of Madhubani art, a traditional style from the Mithila region of Northern Bihar.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Vishnu in his Narasimha form, a half-man, half-lion avatar, as he slays the demon king Hiranyakasyapa. The figure is shown with four arms, wearing ornate jewelry and a patterned skirt, standing on a lotus flower.
Technique & Style
The artwork features bold black outlines and flat colors, with subtle shading in pink and gray. The plain background emphasizes the dramatic pose of the central figure, characteristic of the Madhubani style.
History & Provenance
Madhubani painting gained recognition after a 1934 earthquake and was later documented by W.G. Archer in 1949. By the 1960s, the style had transitioned from wall paintings to works on paper for commercial sale.
Artist & collection
Artist
Karpuri Devi painted vivid floor murals and walls in the early 1970s, using rice paste and natural dyes.
