On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Shiva and Parvati and Their Children Skanda and Ganesha
India, Punjab Hills, Kingdom of Mandi or Kangra
Not on view
Shiva is shown sitting in the mountains of the Himalayas as an ascetic who has retreated from society. Still, he is surrounded by his family, including his wife, Parvati, who pours him a drink. Behind him, his multiarmed son Skanda gestures toward a peacock in a tree, which is his vehicle (vahana). Below sit a tiger and the bull Nandi, the vehicles of Parvati and Shiva, respectively. Placed in their midst is the elephant-headed figure of Ganesha, who serves as an intermediary between the viewer and Shiva. Rather than presenting Ganesha as an icon, this painting from the foothills of the Himalayas shows the god as part of a family narrative.
On view from November 19, 2022 – June 10, 2023
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
