Artwork

One of four paintings of Hindu deities.

One of four paintings of Hindu deities., by Unknown, paint, 1860
One of four paintings of Hindu deities., by Unknown, paint, 1860

One of four paintings of Hindu deities. is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 1860 painting is one of a quartet depicting Hindu deities, attributed to an unknown artist. It portrays a sacred scene with Shiva (identified by context, though the source mentions only 'a deity') and Parvati on Nandi, surrounded by reverent Brahmins.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, likely Shiva (inferred from the conch shell, discus, and green halo), sits with Parvati on the bull Nandi, symbolizing divine power and marital harmony. Attendant Brahmins convey reverence and ritual significance.

Technique & Style

Executed in a realistic manner (associated with, but not explicitly labeled as, the Realism movement), the work features intricate, ornate details in clothing and jewelry, set against a distinctive deep orange background dotted with white.

History & Provenance

Created in 1860 by an unidentified artist, the painting's origins and ownership history prior to its current location are not detailed in available records.

Context

Part of a set of four paintings focused on Hindu deities, this work reflects 19th-century artistic interpretations of Hindu mythology, potentially catering to colonial-era interest in Indian religious themes.

Legacy

While the artist remains unknown, the painting contributes to the visual archive of Hindu iconography in 19th-century art, offering insights into the period's aesthetic and cultural exchanges.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known