Gauri
Not on view
Gauri is an expression of a tender form of Parvati, the wife and consort of Shiva. In this image, Gauri is represented portrait-like, as if a depiction of a young woman of beauty, not of divinity. Her ‘other’ status is asserted only by the crown she wears, which along with her radiant halo, defines her divine status. In all other respects, she could be mistaken for a young woman prepared for her wedding day.
The lower register of the print declares the goddess’s name in devanagari script, along with the name of the press "Ravi Varma Press, Karla-Lonavia", in both English and Hindi. The painting is labelled "Registered No. 95", an attempt at patenting, which proved ineffective in late 19th century India.