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The Great temple at Madura with the shrines of Minakshi Devi and Shiva as Sundareshwara.

Unknown

1820

paint

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Patna School of Painting Romanticism Early 19th Century Architectural

Dominant colour

The Great temple at Madura with the shrines of Minakshi Devi and Shiva as Sundareshwara. is a 1820 paint by Unknown, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1820 · Patna School of Painting
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows two bright shrines side by side, packed with gold, red, and blue details. The left shrine has a green-robed figure standing in an arched doorway, surrounded by small decorative frames. The right shrine features a dark blue interior with a seated figure and an elephant on either side. Both shrines sit on a stone platform with tiny windows and arches in the background. The writing at the bottom names the place as the "Great temple at Madura," which is likely the real-life temple this painting copies. The artist used bold colors and patterns to make the shrines look rich and sacred. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.

The story of this work

Overview

The Great Temple at Madura features twin shrines dedicated to the deities Minakshi Devi and Shiva in his form as Sundareshwara. Constructed in the 17th century and expanded over time, the temple complex remains a significant site of Hindu worship and architectural heritage.

Read the full account in the museum source.