Das Avataras, Ten Incarnations of Vishnu (verso), from a Kalighat album

c. 1890

Shri Gobinda Chandra Roy

(Indian, active late 1800s)

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Culture

Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat

Medium

Woodcut, hand colored with gum tempera

Measurements

Secondary Support: 29.9 x 48.5 cm (11 3/4 x 19 1/8 in.); Painting only: 28.3 x 42.7 cm (11 1/8 x 16 13/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.114.b

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

The hero Rama is can be seen in the lower register, second from left, with his wife Sita and devotee Hanuman.

Description

This hastily hand-colored woodcut depicts a set of ten avatars, or incarnations, of the Hindu god Vishnu as recognized in 1800s Bengal. In each avatar, Vishnu descended to earth in order restore balance and order to the world. In the top register, from left to right, are Vishnu’s avatars as fish, tortoise, boar, man-lion, and Brahmin. Below are Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Jagannath, and Kalki. The image of Rama shows him after his victory over the demon Ravana. He sits with Sita, crowned, holding bow and arrow. His monkey general Hanuman stands before him in a gesture of adoration.