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Souvenir Painting of the Goddess Kali Standing on the God Shiva

c. 1900-1950
Artist/maker unknown, Indian
This souvenir painting on cloth (chitrapata) depicts a cremation ground where Kali, the goddess of destruction, stands on the body of the god Shiva, whose skin is white with ashes. Jackals, scavenger birds, and severed human limbs surround her. Kali's huge, four-armed body is draped in strings of human heads and hands, black hair cascades down her back, and blood streams from her mouth.

Object Details

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