Artwork
Large, multi-armed figure facing left
Large, multi-armed figure facing left is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1904 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a single, brightly colored figure rendered with four arms, positioned against a stark white ground.
About this work
Overview
The work presents a single, brightly colored figure rendered with four arms, positioned against a stark white ground. The figure is dressed in a patterned garment combining pink, yellow and green hues, while the surrounding border is a thick pink band adorned with swirling motifs. Floral and leaf elements in pink, red and green frame the composition, giving it a decorative, rhythmic quality.
Subject & Meaning
The central character, with a simplified yet expressive face marked by large eyes and a serene gaze, suggests a stylized deity or mythic being. The multiplicity of arms often denotes power or multiple functions in traditional iconography, while the vibrant attire and surrounding flora may symbolize abundance, fertility or celebration within the cultural narrative the artist draws upon.
Technique & Style
Executed with bold outlines and flat areas of saturated color, the painting employs a decorative approach reminiscent of regional folk traditions.
Executed with bold outlines and flat areas of saturated color, the painting employs a decorative approach reminiscent of regional folk traditions. Patterns of stripes and dots on the clothing, as well as the ornamental border, are applied in a graphic, two‑dimensional manner, emphasizing surface design over illusionistic depth. The use of a white background isolates the figure, enhancing visual impact.
Context
The visual language aligns with the Mithila or Madhubani school of painting, a folk art form originating in the Bihar region of India. This tradition is known for its vivid palettes, intricate border work, and symbolic representation of deities and nature, often created for ritual or celebratory purposes. The piece reflects these conventions while adapting them to a contemporary canvas format.
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
Devotional painting (female figure)
Four-armed goddess, with hearts in margin
Shiva and Nandi
Rider and four-legged bovine creature in mauve, chartreuse and black palette
Lakshmi
Rider and four-legged bovine creature with border of colored squares
Woman in profile facing left (by woman painter)
Three Figures: woman with two children playing ball
Durga
Shiva riding on Nandi
Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"
Large, multi-armed figure facing out