Who painted Shiva, Parvati and Nandi?

Shiva, Parvati and Nandi was painted by Unknown in 1890.

Where can I see Shiva, Parvati and Nandi?

Shiva, Parvati and Nandi is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Shiva, Parvati and Nandi?

Shiva, Parvati and Nandi is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Shiva, Parvati and Nandi

Unknown , 1890

Shiva, Parvati and Nandi 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

This watercolor and tin‑alloy work on paper, dated to 1890, portrays the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati seated upon a throne, with the sacred bull Nandi positioned beneath them. The composition combines vivid hues and defined outlines, characteristic of the 19th‑century Calcutta school known as Kalighat.

Subject & Meaning

Shiva is rendered with blue skin and a coiled serpent around his neck, holding a small drum, while Parvati appears in a bright red garment, adorned with heavy gold jewelry and a crown. Nandi, depicted as a bull with a human face, rests at their feet, symbolizing devotion and the divine partnership of the couple.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor with tin‑alloy accents, the painting employs the bold colors, simplified forms and rapid brushwork typical of Kalighat art. The style emphasizes clear contours and a flattened perspective, merging religious iconography with a folk‑art aesthetic.

History & Provenance

The piece entered the museum collection in 1955 as a donation from M. N. Varvill, Esq. Its provenance traces back to the late colonial period in India, when Kalighat painters catered to both devotional and popular audiences.

Context

Kalighat painting emerged in mid‑19th‑century Calcutta as a commercial art form, often produced on cheap paper for pilgrims visiting the Kalighat temple. Artists blended mythological narratives with contemporary motifs, creating works that were accessible to a broad public.