The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Durga Killing the Demon Mahisha

Durga Killing the Demon Mahisha

c. 1890
Gum tempera, graphite, ink, and tin on paper
Secondary Support: 50.5 x 32 cm (19 7/8 x 12 5/8 in.); Painting only: 45.8 x 28.3 cm (18 1/16 x 11 1/8 in.)
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.103
Location: not on view

Description

A ten-armed Durga stands triumphant as she grabs the hair of the buffalo demon’s true form, one foot on his neck, about to plunge the spear into his heart. Interestingly, the demon wears European buckled shoes; this painting was made in the British enclave then known as Calcutta. Made by artists who sold their works in a goddess temple bazaar, this painting was made with rapid brush strokes and thin paint layers on inexpensive paper. Exuberant in their devotional vitality and visceral color sensibilities, Kalighat paintings achieved acclaim among modern artists of the 20th century.
  • ?-2003
    William E. Ward [1922-2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2003-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Main Gallery Rotation (Gallery 242B): April 6, 2016 -
    Indian Kalighat Paintings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (May 1-September 18, 2011).
    Cleveland Museum of Art, (5/1/11-9/18/11); "Indian Kalighat Paintings"
  • {{cite web|title=Durga Killing the Demon Mahisha|url=false|author=|year=c. 1890|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2003.103