Artwork Page for Brahma

Details / Information for Brahma

Brahma

c. 1890

Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat

Medium
Gum tempera, graphite, ink, and tin on paper
Measurements
Painting: 45.1 x 27.7 cm (17 3/4 x 10 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.148
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Brahma once had five heads, but the god Shiva decapitated one of them.

Description

The god of creation has four arms and four heads. The manuscript in his upper right hand indicates that he is the source of sacred knowledge as the quintessential Brahman. The lotus flower in his lower right hand references birth and procreation. He would typically hold a rosary and water pot in his left hands, which are here difficult to clearly identify given the cursory style of Kalighat painitngs. His mount, the goose, examines the ground at his feet.
A vertically oriented tempera painting depicts Brahma, a four-headed deity with a deep maroon skin tone, seated cross-legged on a tasseled yellow throne. He wears a tiered yellow crown, multiple white necklaces, and a green sash. His four arms extend outward, holding a scroll and a flower. Below his striped yellow garment, a gray bird sits facing left. The figure features bold outlines and sits against an aged, off-white background.

Brahma

c. 1890

Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork