Artwork
Hanuman
Hanuman is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work depicts a towering figure with red skin, adorned with a golden crown and necklace, grasping a small blue object in one hand and a club in the other. Two diminutive figures appear behind or upon its shoulders, suggesting a narrative scene rendered in vivid reds, yellows, and blues with clear outlines and flat color fields.
Subject & Meaning
The central character is the Hindu deity Hanuman, known for his strength and devotion. The accompanying smaller figures likely represent allies or devotees, while the blue object may allude to a specific episode from the Ramayana, emphasizing Hanuman’s role as a heroic messenger and protector.
Technique & Style
Executed with bold, saturated pigments, the painting employs a simplified, graphic approach: strong contour lines define forms, and large, unmodulated color areas create a flat visual effect. The composition emphasizes movement, with the figure’s raised arm and hip‑resting pose conveying dynamic action typical of folk or devotional illustration.
Context
Such depictions of Hanuman are common in South Asian religious art, where vivid coloration and straightforward iconography serve didactic purposes. The inclusion of textual elements at the bottom suggests the piece may have functioned as a visual aid for storytelling or ritual recitation within a community setting.
Artist & collection
