Who painted Durga Slaying Mahisha?

Durga Slaying Mahisha was painted by Unknown in 1705.

Where can I see Durga Slaying Mahisha?

Durga Slaying Mahisha is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Durga Slaying Mahisha?

Durga Slaying Mahisha is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Durga Slaying Mahisha

Unknown , 1705

Durga Slaying Mahisha is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1705 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This painting, originating from the Pahari courts of northern India, portrays the Hindu goddess Durga in the act of slaying the buffalo demon Mahisha. She is shown with multiple arms, each brandishing a distinct weapon, and seated on a tiger‑like mount while beheading the creature. The composition captures the decisive moment of triumph over the demon.

Subject & Meaning

Durga embodies the collective potency of the male deities, and her victory over Mahisha symbolizes the defeat of chaotic forces. The depiction of her severed head and the emergence of the demon’s true form from its neck emphasize the goddess’s role as a protector and destroyer of evil within Hindu mythology.

Technique & Style

Executed in the characteristic Pahari style of the western Himalayas, the work employs vivid colors and intricate detailing. The arms are marked with horizontal lines that serve as sectarian identifiers, while each weapon—bow, trident, discus, shield, sword, mace, and conch—receives careful rendering, highlighting the artist’s skill in rendering complex, multi‑armed figures.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced in the foothills of the western Himalayas, a region where artists traditionally portrayed Durga’s vehicle as a tiger, reflecting local iconographic conventions. It remains a representative example of the devotional art commissioned by the Pahari kingdoms during the period.

Context

In Indian visual culture, lions and tigers function as interchangeable symbols of shakti, the divine creative energy. This work aligns with that tradition, presenting Durga’s mount as a tiger and reinforcing the association between the goddess’s martial vigor and the animal’s ferocity.