Varaha and Hiranyaksha
1835
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1835
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Varaha and Hiranyaksha is a 1835 paint by Unknown, a Patna School of Painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting depicts a boar-headed figure standing over a man, who lies on his back. The boar-headed figure is dressed in a blue shirt, yellow shorts, and a red cape, with a sword in his right hand. The man on the ground wears a red outfit with white flowers. The boar-headed figure appears to be Varaha, a Hindu deity, and the man he stands over is likely Hiranyaksha, a demon from Hindu mythology. The painting's style and colors suggest it was created during the Romanticism period. If you're interested in learning more about this style of art, you might want to explore the Romanticism movement.
A watercolour painting on paper from 1835 depicts Varaha, the boar-form avatar of Vishnu, standing triumphantly after defeating the demon Hiranyaksha, who had persecuted both humans and deities. The work incorporates lithographed outlines with silver-coloured tin alloy details and black shading. It reflects the Kalighat painting tradition of 19th-century Bengal, characterized by bold colours, simplified forms, and rapid brushwork. The scene symbolizes Varaha’s rescue of the Earth goddess Prithvi.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Your cart is empty
Explore artworks →
