Varaha, The Boar Incarnation of Vishnu, folio from the Tehri Garhwal series of the Gita Govinda
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.In each cosmic age, Vishnu manifests himself as an avatar to rid the world of corruption and evil forces; Krishna is the most popular of his incarnations. This painting presents Vishnu as the boar avatar Varaha holding a mace and standing victorious over the slain demon Hiranyaksha, shown curled in the corner. Earlier in the story, the demon persecuted the goddess Bhu (the personified earth), who then fled to the depths of the ocean. Varaha, preserving the cosmic order, lifts the earth (conceived as a verdant landscape of hills, winding rivers, small towns, and numerous temples) out of the sea on the tips of his tusks.
Artwork Details
- Title: Varaha, The Boar Incarnation of Vishnu, folio from the Tehri Garhwal series of the Gita Govinda
- Date: ca. 1775–1780
- Culture: India, Punjab Hills, kingdom of Kangra or Guler
- Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
- Dimensions: Page: H. 6 3/4 in. (17.1 cm)
W. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm)
Painting: H. 6 in. (15.2 cm)
W. 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Promised Gift of Steven Kossak, The Kronos Collections
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art