Artwork
Ganesha and His Wives, Siddhi and Buddhi
Ganesha and His Wives, Siddhi and Buddhi is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
The work titled *Ganesha and His Wives, Siddhi and Buddhi* depicts the Hindu deity Ganesha seated on a richly patterned mat. He is flanked by three women and a goose, all engaged in various activities that convey a festive mood. The composition is set against a deep‑red background framed by an ornamental border, and the painting is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection.
Subject & Meaning
Central to the scene is Ganesha, the elephant‑headed god of wisdom and removal of obstacles, shown in a domestic setting with his consorts Siddhi (spiritual power) and Buddhi (intellect). The presence of a goose, a bowl, and a stringed instrument suggests a celebratory domestic ritual, emphasizing the harmonious union of divine and earthly pleasures.
Technique & Style
Rendered in vivid pigments, the artist employs a bright yellow dhoti and gold crown for Ganesha, contrasting with the multicolored saris of the women. The floral mat and decorative border are executed with fine brushwork, while the deep red ground provides a unifying backdrop that heightens the scene’s chromatic richness.
History & Provenance
The painting is currently housed in the Detroit Institute of Arts. Details of its creation, including the artist’s identity, date, and original patronage, are not recorded in the available documentation, limiting the provenance record to its present institutional ownership.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
