The Hindu God Vishnu

* Nearly 20,000 images of artworks the museum believes to be in the public domain are available to download on this site. Other images may be protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. By using any of these images you agree to LACMA's Terms of Use.

The Hindu God Vishnu

India, Tamil Nadu, 13th century
Sculpture
Copper alloy
40 1/4 x 18 x 7 3/4 in. (102.23 x 45.72 x 19.68 cm)
Gift of Anna Bing Arnold (M.70.5.1)
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

These separate copper alloy (bronze) representations of the Hindu god Vishnu flanked by his wives Shridevi (or Lakshmi) and the earth goddess Bhudevi form a Vaishnava matrimonial triad (M.70.5.1-.3)....
These separate copper alloy (bronze) representations of the Hindu god Vishnu flanked by his wives Shridevi (or Lakshmi) and the earth goddess Bhudevi form a Vaishnava matrimonial triad (M.70.5.1-.3). Originally made as processional images, each deity stands on a double lotus base cut with holes for attaching them to the support poles. Vishnu wears a tall crown (kirita mukuta), a striped lower garment adorned with a “Face of Glory” (kirttimukha) medallion, and is heavily ornamented. He stands in a stiff, frontal pose (samapada sthanaka). He has four arms. In his upper right hand, he holds his discus (chakra). His lower right hand is held in the gesture of reassurance (abhaya mudra). In his upper left hand, he carries his flaming conch (shankha). His lower left hand hangs by his side and once rested on the handle of his now-missing mace (gada).
More...

Bibliography

  • El Universo de la India: Obras Maestras del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Angeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda, 2012.

  • Pal, Pratapaditya. Indian Sculpture, vol.2. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art; University of California Press, 1988.