Devi Shrine
Unknown Artist
c. 1810
Medium
Gum tempera and gold on paper
Dimensions
31.8 × 24.1 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Nancy and Wayne Hunnicutt
Accession Number
2020.80
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The sacred space of a Hindu shrine is separated from the everyday world by an enclosure wall. The mount of the goddess, a tiger, perches on a pedestal in front, gazing into the sanctum. On either side of the doorway are the monkey god Hanuman and the elephant-headed Ganesha seated on his mount, the rat. They ensure protection and success of a devotee’s worship. This powerful six-armed goddess has been dressed and adorned as a living presence. She holds a different weapon in each hand. She offere...