The Great Goddess Durga Slaying Demons

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The Great Goddess Durga Slaying Demons

c. 1740

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

The male gods could not defeat the powerful buffalo demon, Mahisha, so they pooled their powers to create the Great Goddess, Durga. In this energetically whirling image, the eight-armed goddess holds all the gods' weapons and battles a host of demons. She sits on a lotus flower saddle atop her ferocious lion mount as the beast uses his jaws and claws to grab Mahisha.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

The Great Goddess Durga Slaying Demons

Date:

c. 1740

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Indian

Medium:

Opaque watercolor with gold on paper

Dimensions:

Image: 11 1/4 × 16 inches (28.6 × 40.6 cm) Sheet: 12 5/16 × 17 3/16 inches (31.3 × 43.7 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Stella Kramrisch Collection, 1994

Accession Number:

1994-148-391

Geography:

Made in Kota, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Context:

Dynasty: Hada Chauhan Dynasty, Kota (1631-1948/1949?)

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