Matsya
1825
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1825
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Matsya is a 1825 paint by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting depicts a blue-skinned figure with four arms, adorned in gold jewelry and a crown. The figure is draped in a red and gold sash, and has a fish tail extending from the waist. The background of the painting is a light beige color. The figure's four arms are posed in a gesture of blessing, with the hands held in a specific position. The face is serene, with a calm expression. The overall effect of the painting is one of tranquility and spirituality. The painting is reminiscent of the Romanticism movement, with its emphasis on emotion and the sublime. To learn more about this style, explore the Romanticism movement.
Matsya depicts the man-fish form of Vishnu as his first avatar, created to retrieve the Vedas stolen by the demon Shankhasura during a great flood. This drawing is part of a series of 100 Hindu deity illustrations produced in South India in 1825.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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