Kali and Shiva
1885
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1885
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Kali and Shiva is a 1885 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, depicting kalighat, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a dark-skinned figure with four arms standing on a prone man. The standing figure wears a necklace, armbands, and a headpiece, holding a sword in one hand and a severed head in another. Bright colors like yellow, red, and black create strong contrasts, and the background is simple with a warm glow around the main figure. The painting comes from the kalighat style, known for bold colors and dramatic scenes. The style often depicts Hindu gods and myths in a simplified, striking way. Look up kalighat to see more paintings like this.
