Artwork
Shiva Panchanana
Shiva Panchanana is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Shiva Panchanana is a watercolor and tin-alloy painting on cardboard, portraying the Hindu deity Shiva in his five-headed manifestation. However, the depicted figure has a singular head, suggesting a potential discrepancy between the title and the subject's representation.
Subject & Meaning
The painting represents Shiva, a key Hindu deity, in a form implied by the title to be Panchanana (five-headed). The deity is shown with four arms, holding a red drum and a small hand drum, indicating a focus on Shiva's musical or Nataraja (dancing) aspects, though the expected five heads are not present.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor and tin-alloy on cardboard, the painting features bold, vibrant colors against a simple background. The figure's body is predominantly white with black outlines, while the attire and accessories boast bright blues, reds, and yellows, creating a stark, eye-catching contrast.
History & Provenance
No specific historical or provenance details are provided for this painting, leaving its date, artist, and ownership history unspecified.
Context
While the style is described as loose and sketchy, comparisons can be drawn to similar works found in collections like the Victoria and Albert Museum, suggesting a broader artistic or cultural movement, though the exact context of this piece remains undefined.
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
