Artwork
Goddess Mangala, from a Devi Series
Goddess Mangala, from a Devi Series is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a four‑armed female figure seated on a lotus‑shaped throne, flanked by a crouching tiger.
About this work
History & Provenance
It was created by an unknown artist as part of a larger Devi series, though no specific commission or patronage details are recorded.
The painting Goddess Mangala, from a Devi Series, is dated to 1660 based on internal cataloguing and the Wikidata record. It was created by an unknown artist as part of a larger Devi series, though no specific commission or patronage details are recorded. The work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art in 2018, where it holds accession number 2018.154; earlier ownership history is not documented in the available sources.
The painting Goddess Mangala, from a Devi Series, is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The institution assigns the work the accession number 2018.154. Created in 1660, the piece is attributed to an unknown artist within the museum's records. No specific exhibition history for this work is provided in the available sources.
Overview
The work depicts a four‑armed female figure seated on a lotus‑shaped throne, flanked by a crouching tiger. She is adorned in an orange garment patterned with white dots, a crown of red blossoms, and elaborate jewelry. In her hands she holds a sword, a lotus, a ring and a dark object, while the tiger’s striped coat is rendered in bright yellow and white against a dark backdrop edged with green foliage and a red border.
Subject & Meaning
The figure represents the Hindu goddess Mangala, associated with auspiciousness and martial power. The sword signifies her protective aspect, the lotus denotes purity, and the ring may allude to cosmic cycles. The presence of the tiger, a traditional vehicle of the deity, reinforces her fierce yet benevolent nature.
Technique & Style
Executed in a vivid palette, the painting combines flat decorative patterns with detailed rendering of the tiger’s fur. The use of bold outlines and stylized forms reflects the conventions of Indian court painting, while the contrasting dark background emphasizes the luminous colors of the central figures.
Context
Within the broader Devi series, this image illustrates the syncretic visual language that blended religious symbolism with courtly aesthetics. Such paintings were used in devotional settings and as status objects, communicating the patron’s piety and cultural sophistication.
Artist & collection
