Artwork
Narasimha
Narasimha is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1865 painting depicts Narasimha, the man-lion avatar of Vishnu, in a vibrant and boldly colored composition. Executed in opaque watercolour and tin alloy on paper, the work features a lion-headed figure with four arms, dominating a scene beneath a decorative arch.
Subject & Meaning
Narasimha, a manifestation of Vishnu, is shown in a powerful stance, standing on a demon. This iconography symbolizes the deity's role in protecting the righteous and vanquishing evil, though the overall treatment here leans towards the dramatic and less towards solemn religiosity.
Technique & Style
The painting is characterized by flat, two-dimensional shapes, bright, clashing hues, and the absence of shading or blending, resulting in a distinctly decorative and somewhat cartoonish appearance. The incorporation of tin alloy adds a unique visual element.
History & Provenance
Originally created in 1865, the painting was later donated by Mrs. Western of Langrookside, Havant, Hampshire, to the University Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Cambridge, where it is now part of the collection.
Context
While not typical of traditional religious art due to its bold and loud aesthetic, this piece can be contextualized alongside other vibrant, decoratively inclined works of the period, with parallels found in collections like the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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
