Parvati and Shiva
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Parvati and Shiva is a 1890 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, depicting Kalighat, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows two figures standing side by side. The person on the left has a blue-gray body, a tall yellow-and-red hat, and a snake curled behind their ear. They’re bare-chested and wear yellow shorts with black stripes. The person on the right has a red dress with gold trim, a heavy gold crown, and long black hair. Both have bold black outlines and bright colors, with the woman’s hand raised as if gesturing. The figures look like gods from Hindu stories, dressed in traditional clothing. This style comes from a type of Indian art called *kalighat*. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more paintings like this.
A watercolor and tin-alloy painting on paper from 1890 depicts Parvati standing before Shiva, holding a garland. The artwork was donated by M N Varvill in 1955. It reflects the Kalighat style, characterized by vivid colors, simplified forms, and quick brushwork, which emerged in Calcutta during the 19th century. This regional art form often depicted local mythology and societal changes under British colonial rule.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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