Artwork
Devi Attacking a Demon
Devi Attacking a Demon is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a dynamic scene of a woman astride a lion, brandishing a sword in one hand and a shield in the other.
About this work
History & Provenance
Dated to 1630, the painting entered the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection in 1968, as indicated by the accession year embedded in that number.
The painting was created in 1630 by an unknown artist. It entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it has remained since its acquisition. The work was initially part of a private collection before being acquired by the museum.
Devi Attacking a Demon is held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it forms part of the museum's collection of paintings. Within the museum's holdings, the work is catalogued under the accession number 1968.72, which is how it is identified in the institution's records. Dated to 1630, the painting entered the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection in 1968, as indicated by the accession year embedded in that number. No further details of its exhibition history are documented in the available sources.
The painting's current location at the Cleveland Museum of Art is confirmed in the collection's structured data, and the 1968.72 designation corresponds to a work by an unknown artist, consistent with the painting's attribution status.
Overview
The work depicts a dynamic scene of a woman astride a lion, brandishing a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. The composition is dominated by a vivid red background, accented by black lettering along the left edge and a bright sun motif positioned in the corner.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a fierce female warrior, her face outlined with strong lines and her hair rendered in an exaggerated, dramatic style. She appears to be confronting a demonic presence, suggested by the title, while the lion beneath her is poised to charge, its open mouth and tense muscles emphasizing the intensity of the encounter.
Technique & Style
The painting employs bold contouring for the woman's facial features and hair, creating a graphic quality. The lion is depicted with muscular definition and a sense of motion. The use of a saturated red field and stark black text contributes to a striking visual contrast, while the sun symbol adds a decorative element.
Artist & collection
