Who painted Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk.?

Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk. was painted by Unknown in 1800.

Where can I see Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk.?

Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk. is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk.?

Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk. is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk.

Unknown , 1800

Ardanarishvara; woman holding a flywhisk. is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist Unknown. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Ardanarishvara is a painted work that depicts a female figure grasping a flywhisk.

About this work

Overview

Ardanarishvara is a painted work that depicts a female figure grasping a flywhisk. The composition centers on the figure, whose posture and the presence of the whisk suggest a ritual or ceremonial context. The painting’s title combines the name of the deity Shiva with a reference to a female attendant, indicating a possible link to Hindu iconography.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a woman holding a flywhisk, an object traditionally used in religious and royal settings to signify purity and authority. In Hindu visual culture, such attendants often serve deities or high-status individuals, implying the painting may represent a devotional scene or a portrayal of a divine consort.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in paint, though the specific medium—whether tempera, oil, or watercolor—is not recorded. The rendering of the whisk and the figure’s attire suggests a stylized approach typical of South Asian religious art, where symbolic attributes are emphasized over naturalistic detail.

History & Provenance

Details regarding the painting’s date, creator, and ownership history are not documented in the available sources. The title Ardanarishvara, combining the name of Shiva with a feminine element, hints at a possible origin within a temple or courtly collection where devotional imagery was common.