Tara and Shiva
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Tara and Shiva is a 1890 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
The painting depicts a blue-skinned woman standing on a yellow creature with black spots, possibly a tiger. She has long black hair and wears a yellow skirt with black spots, as well as numerous necklaces and bracelets. In her four arms, she holds two snakes and two other objects that are not clearly visible. At her feet lies a man with a blue mark on his forehead, who appears to be dead or unconscious. The woman's facial expression is fierce, with her tongue sticking out and her eyes narrowed. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of intensity and power, with the woman dominating the scene. The use of bold colors and dynamic poses adds to the sense of energy and movement. This painting is reminiscent of the work of artists who explored the theme of mythology in their art, such as those associated with the movement of Impressionism.
The artwork depicts Tara, a form of Kali, rendered in watercolour and tin alloy on cardboard, seated on a blue lotus above the reclining figure of Shiva. She is shown holding cobras, emphasizing her divine and protective attributes. The composition reflects a fusion of iconographic traditions within the visual representation.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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