- Title
- Narayana (Vishnu) Mounting Garuda with Lakshmi
- Date Made
- circa 1730
- Period
- 18th century
- Medium
- Opaque watercolor, gold, and silver on paper
- Dimensions
- Image: 8 3/8 x 5 7/8 in. (21.27 x 14.92 cm); Sheet: 10 3/8 x 8 in. (26.35 x 20.32 cm)
- Accession Number
- AC1999.127.32
- Collecting Area
- South and Southeast Asian Art
- Curatorial Notes
In times of chaos, Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation, comes to earth to destroy demons, restore balance, and uphold the order of the universe. This painting illustrates a regional variant account of the demon-king Ravana’s death. In this version, Ravana is killed by Narayana and Lakshmi instead of by Vishnu’s seventh incarnation, Prince Rama.
Here, Vishnu, known in this two-armed form as Narayana, and his consort, Lakshmi, mount the sunbird Garuda who is about to take off and fly into battle. Garuda brandishes a sword and shield, and holds a conch shell, one of Vishnu’s primary iconographic attributes. Narayana holds a bow and the crescent-headed arrow that will behead Ravana. A full quiver is suspended from his waistband. He is richly adorned with jewelry, including a crown embellished with lotus petals and a long floral garland (vanamala). Lakshmi gazes devotedly at her deific spouse. In the sky celestial nymphs (apsarasas) play musical instruments heralding the divine intervention. The landscape is characteristic of Bundi painting, with a tree burgeoning with lush foliage and a charming riverbank with waterfowl.
- Selected Bibliography
- Meller, Susan. Labels of Empire: Textile Trademarks: Windows into India in the Time of the Raj. Novato, CA: Goff Books, 2023.
