One of a Pair of Manuscript Covers from the Glorification of the Great Goddess (Devimahatmya)
18th century
Medium
Pigments and metallic paint on wood
Dimensions
1.1 × 48.8 × 11.7 cm (3/8 × 19 5/16 × 4 5/8 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
220168
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Hindu goddess Durga. slayer of the buffalo demon Mahesha (Mahishasuramardini), appears in rhythmic succession 12 times in this pair of manuscript covers from Nepal. In this myth the gods, unable to defeat a powerful shape-changing demon in the form of a water buffalo, decide to create a goddess who—with their combined weapons, energy, and strength—will be able to vanquish it. Whirling her arms and brandishing her weapons, the goddess stabs the demon with her lance in one lower hand and lifts...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...