Who painted Large, multi-armed figure facing out?

Large, multi-armed figure facing out was painted by Unknown in 1904.

Where can I see Large, multi-armed figure facing out?

Large, multi-armed figure facing out is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Large, multi-armed figure facing out

Unknown , 1904

Large, multi-armed figure facing out is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1904 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work is a flat‑colored painting depicting a stylized figure with four arms, a pronounced nose, and large eyes.

About this work

Overview

The work is a flat‑colored painting depicting a stylized figure with four arms, a pronounced nose, and large eyes. The figure is dressed in a yellow skirt and a red sash, while its hands grasp assorted objects that suggest flowers or tools. The surrounding field is filled with oversized pink blossoms, green foliage, and scattered black dots, all outlined in bold black lines.

Subject & Meaning

The central character, rendered in a simplified, iconic manner, reflects a traditional deity or folk hero common in rural Indian visual culture. The multiple arms convey power or abundance, and the surrounding flora may symbolize fertility, celebration, or seasonal cycles within the community’s belief system.

Technique & Style

Executed with solid, unmodulated pigments, the painting relies on flat areas of color and strong black outlines rather than modeling or perspective. Repetitive motifs and a decorative border frame the composition, hallmarks of the Mithila or Madhubani school, where artists traditionally work on walls or handmade paper using natural dyes and pigments.

Context

Mithila art originates in the cultural region of Bihar and Nepal, historically practiced by women for ritual and domestic decoration. Its visual language emphasizes symbolic representation, bright hues, and intricate patterning, often linked to seasonal festivals, marriage rites, and religious observances.

Legacy

Works of this genre have transitioned from domestic settings to galleries, influencing contemporary Indian folk art movements and attracting scholarly attention for their preservation of regional identity. The painting exemplifies the continuity of traditional techniques within modern artistic discourse.