Who painted Worship of Hindu Deities (1 of 18)?

Worship of Hindu Deities (1 of 18) was painted by Unknown.

Where can I see Worship of Hindu Deities (1 of 18)?

Worship of Hindu Deities (1 of 18) is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

Artwork

Worship of Hindu Deities (1 of 18)

Worship of Hindu Deities (1 of 18) is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Overview

A snake rises from a red form on the left, and the scene is framed by a light‑green field, a red border, and a yellow strip bearing black lettering at the top.

The work, titled *Worship of Hindu Deities (1 of 18)*, is a painted composition that presents several figures dressed in traditional Indian clothing. They are seated on the floor, engaged in quiet interaction, while a white horse and a black cow appear in the foreground. A snake rises from a red form on the left, and the scene is framed by a light‑green field, a red border, and a yellow strip bearing black lettering at the top.

Subject & Meaning

The figures represent participants in a ritual or devotional gathering, suggesting a moment of collective reverence toward Hindu deities. The inclusion of domestic animals—horse and cow—along with the serpent, symbols often linked to Hindu mythology, reinforces the religious context and conveys an atmosphere of contemplation and serenity.

Technique & Style

Rendered in a flat, decorative manner, the painting employs a limited palette of green, red, yellow, black, white, and black tones. The composition is organized with clear borders and textual elements, reminiscent of traditional Indian manuscript or folk panel painting, emphasizing pattern over three‑dimensional modeling.

History & Provenance

The piece is identified as the first in a series of eighteen, indicating it was likely produced as part of a larger narrative or instructional set. No specific information about its creator, date, or original location is provided, leaving its provenance uncertain beyond its classification as a painting of Hindu worship.

Context

Within Indian visual culture, group scenes of worship often serve both didactic and devotional purposes, illustrating ritual practices and the presence of sacred animals. The snake’s emergence from a red shape may reference the deity Shiva or other mythic motifs, situating the work within broader iconographic traditions.