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_ID%3D6862
Painting
Shiva, Ardhanãrishvara
Indian artist, (active )
Indian artist
India
Primary
10 x 6 3/4 in. (25.4 x 17.1 cm)
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sheet (irregular)
sheet (irregular)
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image
image
Opaque watercolor
Opaque watercolor
Kotah, Rajasthan
ca. 1750-1775
1750
1775
1600-1800, Ardhanarishvara, Indian, paintings
Painting
The form of Shiva represented in this work embodies Shiva's role as the unifier of opposites - life/death, creation/destruction, ascetic/erotic, male/female. Ardhanarishvara, or the Lord Whose Half is Woman, is the primordial androgyne and the true form of creative power - male and female in one.
If you look closely at the figure of Shiva seated under the tree, you will notice that the right half has white skin, wears a yellow dhoti, sits on a tiger skin and carries a trident, while the left half has yellow skin, wears a red sari, and sits on lotus petals. The right side represents the male, with common attributes of Shiva, and the left, the female.
The appearance of Shiva in this form is cause for celebration, illustrated by the elephants playing in the river, acrobats performing various feats, and musicians playing music. Even other gods come to pay tribute: Narayana appears with blue skin offering a lotus, and his vahana or vehicle Garuda, the eagle, offers flower garlands. Brahma, the creator (with four faces), also pays homage.
1980.44
item
Memorial Art Gallery
3/5/2001
80.44TR1
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4 x 5
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80.44DI1
digital image
6/27/2002
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80.44DI#2
digital image
9/8/2011
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80.44DI#3
digital image
6/16/2015
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