The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 20, 2025
Kali Attacking Nisumbha
c. 1740
Image: 22 x 33 cm (8 11/16 x 13 in.); Overall: 23.7 x 35.2 cm (9 5/16 x 13 7/8 in.)
Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1968.44
Location: Not on view
Description
The powerful black Hindu goddess Kali effortlessly slays an eight-armed spotted green demon with an impossibly long trident. His chariot horses and two minions lie incapacitated below. Kali’s tongue lolls out, indicating her ability to catch blood before it touches the ground: one of her demonic enemies has blood that generates another demon every time one drop comes in contact with the earth. The demon is a metaphor for wicked thoughts that give rise to more evil thoughts; Kali aids her followers in eradicating them all.- 1968–The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Indian Gallery 242 Rotation – April-November 2016. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (April 4-November 8, 2016).Sacred India. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 5, 1985-January 12, 1986).Year in Review for 1968. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 29-March 9, 1969).
- {{cite web|title=Kali Attacking Nisumbha|url=false|author=|year=c. 1740|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1968.44