Subrahmanya, with six heads, in his form as Shanmukha (Arumukha)
1820
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1820
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Subrahmanya, with six heads, in his form as Shanmukha (Arumukha) is a 1820 paint by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a figure with six faces, all wearing golden crowns and bright red and yellow robes. Each face has a different expression, and the figure holds weapons like swords and a bow. The background is plain, keeping all focus on the colorful, detailed patterns of the clothing and jewelry. The figure’s many arms and faces suggest it’s a god from Hindu mythology. The bright colors and dramatic poses fit the style of the time. Look up Romanticism to see how this painting connects to that art movement.
The six-headed Subrahmanya, depicted in his Shanmukha form, stands frontally with a brick-red complexion, wearing royal yellow and red garments adorned with jewellery. Six jewelled conical crowns rest atop his heads, while twelve arms display a variety of weapons, with the remaining two hands positioned in symbolic gestures.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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