Who painted Legend of Durga?

Legend of Durga was painted by Unknown.

Where can I see Legend of Durga?

Legend of Durga is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

Artwork

Legend of Durga

Legend of Durga is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

About this work

Overview

Legend of Durga is a painted composition in which a central female figure, dressed in a red top and purple skirt, sits on the ground holding a sword. She is flanked by a crowned male holding a scepter and a woman in a yellow skirt bearing a bowl. The scene is set against a solid red field edged with a yellow border, creating a vivid chromatic frame.

Subject & Meaning

The central woman appears to embody the Hindu goddess Durga, traditionally depicted with a sword and regal attributes. The presence of another crowned figure and a domestic female figure suggests a narrative of divine authority alongside earthly participants, possibly illustrating a mythic episode in which Durga is honored or invoked.

Technique & Style

The work employs a flat, decorative background of saturated red and yellow, emphasizing the figures rather than spatial depth. The figures are rendered with clear outlines and simplified forms, allowing the bright costumes and symbolic objects—a sword, scepter, and bowl—to dominate the visual hierarchy. The palette and stylization reflect a modernist approach to mythic subject matter.

History & Provenance

Legend of Durga is part of the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The museum acquired the painting through its acquisition program, though specific details of the purchase or donation are not provided in the available records.

Context

Durga, a warrior goddess in Hindu tradition, is frequently portrayed wielding weapons and surrounded by attendants. This painting situates her within a contemporary visual language, merging traditional iconography with a modern compositional scheme, thereby linking ancient myth to present-day artistic expression.