Shiva
1880
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1880
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Shiva is a 1880 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, depicting Kalighat, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a blue-skinned figure sitting cross-legged on a tiger. The figure plays a stringed instrument with a long neck and a peacock perches on its shoulder. The person wears a beaded vest and a striped headpiece, with bold black-and-white stripes on the tiger’s fur. The tiger’s relaxed pose and the figure’s calm expression create a mix of strength and peace. This style comes from the kalighat tradition, known for its bold colors and simple shapes. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.
The painting depicts Shiva as a celestial ascetic, playing a tanpura while seated, with his upper body bare except for a tiger-skin loincloth. His matted hair contains three entwined cobras, and his third eye is visible, while his other eyes appear narrowed from narcotic influence. Traditional attributes such as rudraksha armbands and silver-colored ornaments in the Kalighat style—including a multi-string necklace and earrings—are shown in tin alloy. The figure is softly shaded, with rounded limbs and a face that reflects Shiva’s conventional iconography.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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