Kshemankari
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Kshemankari is a 1890 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, depicting Kalighat, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a blue-skinned figure with four arms, wearing a red skirt and yellow jewelry. One arm holds a small face, another raises a red object, and the third arm points upward. The figure has a crown with dangling ornaments and a necklace of red and gold beads. The bold outlines and flat colors suggest this is part of the *kalighat* style, a type of Indian folk art from the 19th century. Look up kalighat to see more paintings in this vibrant, storytelling tradition.
The artwork depicts the goddess Kshemankari, rendered in watercolour and tin alloy on cardboard, seated on a pink lotus while holding a sword and a severed head.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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