Anantasayan (Vishnu Reclining on Serpent Ananta)

1890

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Religious Bengal Kalighat Kolkata

Dominant colour

Anantasayan (Vishnu Reclining on Serpent Ananta) is a 1890 by Shri Gobinda Chandra Roy, a Impressionism work, depicting Bengal, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Shri Gobinda Chandra Roy
When & what style?: 1890 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a sleeping god with four arms resting on a giant coiled snake. Above him, a smaller figure sits cross-legged, while another stands holding a staff. The snake’s head rises behind the god, and the background has a moon and stars. The god’s lotus flower under his head and the snake’s detailed scales suggest deep symbolism. This style comes from a specific Indian tradition. Look up kalighat next to see more art like this.