Shiva, late 10th century
Unknown artist, Indiaexpand_more
Red sandstoneexpand_more
The Margaret McMillian Weber Fundexpand_more 96.44
Not on Viewexpand_more
Elegantly posed with jeweled festoons suspended from his belt, pendant ear ornaments, and an elaborately domed hair arrangement (jatamukata), Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration, is shown flanked by worshipful celestial couples. Shiva’s dynamic triple-bend pose, called tribhanga, is inextricably related to the prescribed motions of body, limbs, and hand gestures of classical Indian dance. While acutely aware of human anatomy, South Asian sculptors rarely indicated musculature, concerning themselves instead with the portrayal of a flawless, divine body. A sense of the divine is masterfully achieved through intensely idealized beauty that has no mundane human references. This statue is probably from the exterior wall of a temple dedicated to Shiva.
Details
- Title
- Shiva
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 96.44
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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