Goddess Tripura Sundari, from a Devi Series

CultureIndian

Dateca. 1810-1820

MediumOpaque watercolor and gold on paper

DimensionsImage: 5 5/8 × 7 7/8 inches (14.29 × 20 cm)
Sheet: 8 × 10 3/8 inches (20.32 × 26.35 cm)

Credit LineGift of Wayne and Nancy Hunnicutt

Object number2019.63.2

On View

Not on view

Collections

South and Southeast Asian Art

Terms

DescriptionThe painting of the goddess Tripura Sundari, depicts a red, four-armed goddess seated upon a recumbent figure of Shiva (Sadashiva) who lays upon a low platform. The platform, reminiscent of a throne is supported by four of the major Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Indra. This scene is set on a white ground, suggesting marble architecture, and against a blue sky, dominated by a large curving, yellow color field. The scene is ornamented by floral decoration, with red flowering bushes to either side of the figures and scrolling pink flowers on the platform supporting Devi and Shiva. The goddess is dressed in red garments and a gold crown and jewelry and holds a goad (ankush), arrow, bow, and noose in her hands. Given the dominance of the goddess over Shiva, and indeed all of the male gods, this painting is clearly from a series that illustrates the Great Goddess in her many forms. Tripura Sundari is worshipped as a Great Goddess, is a member of the Ten Mahavidyas (Great Wisdom goddesses), and has her own tantric tradition as well. The painting is horizontal in format and the scene is framed by a dark blue and wide red border.Exhibition History

Exhibition History

No known exhibition history at this time.

Provenance

Royal Library of Mandi, Mandi, India, until 1969;

Private collection, Germany, 1969–2009;

Purchased at Indian and Southeast Asian Art, Sotheby’s, New York, March 18, 2009, Lot 77 as A Group of Five Illustrations of Manifestations of Devi, by Nancy and Wayne Hunnicutt, Sebastopol, CA, 2009–present.

Published References

Indian and Southeast Asian Art (New York: Sotheby’s and Co., 2009), 37, fig. 77, (repro.).

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