ManuscriptsIndian18th-19th century

Shiva Riding Nandi in a Procession with Other Hindu Gods and Goddesses (painting, recto; painting, verso), illustration from a Ramayana series

18th-19th century

Description

The painting features a procession of several gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. At the center is Shiva, lord of destruction, astride his mount, Nandi. In the bottom register is Hanuman, the monkey god, holding his iconic mace. In the second register from the top is Chandra, the god of the Moon, in his chariot pulled by blackbuck deer. In front of him is Surya, the god of the Sun, in his horse-drawn chariot. Ganesh, the elephant-headed god is next, astride his rat mount, Krouncha. The topmost register features Brahma, god of creation, on his mount which is a mythical bird known as Hamsa. Next is Indra, god of thunderstorms and king of the heavens, astride Airavata, his white elephant mount. Next is the goddess Durga on her lion mount. The rest of the scene is filled with figures mounted on elephants, camels, and horses; musicians; and female attendants. This double-sided folio possibly belongs to a Ramayana manuscript produced in Sirohi. Other folios from the same manuscript in the Harvard Art Museums’ collections are 1973.164, 1973.165, 1973.166.A, 1973.166.B, 1973.167, 1973.168.A, 1973.168.B, 1973.169, 1973.170.A, 1973.171. Rajput, Rajasthani, Sirohi School.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper; Rajput Style

Culture

Indian

Century

18th-19th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art