Artwork
Shiva
Shiva is a paint painting by the Contemporary Abstract artist Jasa Devi. It dates from 1973 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This 1973 Madhubani painting by Jasa Devi depicts the Hindu god Shiva in a characteristic four-armed representation, executed in ink and colored paint on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Shiva with dark blue skin, a tiger-skin garment, and two attendant serpents, drawing from Hindu religious iconography to convey the deity's power and serenity.
Technique & Style
Characteristic of Madhubani art, the work features bold outlines, flat colors, and floral motifs in the background, with vibrant hues such as pink, yellow, and green accentuating the composition.
History & Provenance
Originating from the Mithila region of northern Bihar, this piece exemplifies the tradition of Madhubani art, which transitioned from village wall decorations to paper-based works for broader dissemination.
Context
As a traditional Madhubani piece, it reflects the region's artistic customs and the adaptation of folk art for a wider audience, while maintaining its roots in Hindu symbolic imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasa Devi painted delicate devotional images that feel both modern and timeless. In Shiva (1973) you’ll find a calm, stylized figure drawn with fine lines and soft color, typical of folk-inspired art from the 1960s–70s.…
