Vishnu saving the elephant, Gajendra - 'Gajendramoksha'.
1820
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1820
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Vishnu saving the elephant, Gajendra - 'Gajendramoksha'. is a 1820 paint by Unknown, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a golden-robed god standing beside a blue elephant. The god holds a flower in one hand and a small golden object in the other. Behind him, three smaller elephants climb a brick wall, reaching for pink lotus flowers. A fourth elephant floats in a round pool, surrounded by red blooms. The god is likely a Hindu deity saving the trapped elephant—a story about protection. The bright colors and dramatic poses feel lively and full of movement. Next, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more paintings like this.
Vishnu extends a hand to the kneeling elephant Gajendra, depicted in a scene from the Gajendramoksha episode. The elephant is shown in a posture of supplication, having been cursed to remain in this form. The event references the story in which Gajendra, previously the Pandya king Indradyumna, is restored to human form through Vishnu’s intervention. The work is dated to 1820 and is of unknown authorship.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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