Vishnu
Artist/Culture
East Indian
Artist/Culture
Bengali
Date1100s
Mediumdark grey schist
Dimensions104.1 cm (41 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineAlexander H. Bullock Fund
Object number1966.133
DescriptionVishnu Trivikram, laden with jewelry and holding the symbols/attributes in his four hands: the mace, a symbol of power and authority, in the upper right; the lotus, offered with the boon-giving gesture (varada mudra) in the lower right; the wheel in the upper left; and probably a conch shell in the lower left. Flanked by his consorts, Laksmi on the right and Prithvi (Bhumdevi) on the left, both standing in the graceful tribhanga (triple-bend) pose. His vehicle, the winged and beaked humanoid bird Garuda, is represented on the base under the feet of the god.The hard dark stone of the back of the figures shows only the tool marks of the quarry while the lavishly carved front has the almost metallic precision characteristic of the style of northeast Indian sculpture during this time.
Label TextVishnu is the physical representation of the principle that pervades and safeguards existence. The cult of Vishnu flourished under the Pala and Sena Dynasties (about 700–1200s) in Bengal in northeast India. The lavishly carved schist stone has an almost metallic precision characteristic of the style of northeast Indian sculpture during this time. Laden with jewelry, this rigidly frontal figure suggests the splendor and power of divinity. Vishnu is flanked by his consorts, Laksmi on the right and Prithvi (Bhumdevi) on the left, who stand in graceful pose. His vehicle, the winged and beaked humanoid bird Garuda, is represented under his feet.Provenance(Alice Boney [1901-1988], Tokyo and New York, NY); 1966, purchased by the Worcester Art Museum.
On View
On view
883–859 BCE
