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Narasimha Kills the Demon-King Hiranyakashipu

1875–80
Not on view
This monochromatic lithograph was printed in one of the first printing workshops in Kolkata (Calcutta) to produce Hindu devotional prints for commercial distribution. In this rendering, undoubtedly drawn by a trained painter, we see Vishnu’s man-lion avatar adorned with a crown revealing himself from within a pillar that has split open. The base and capital of the pillar are adorned with acanthus leaves, a detail familiar to the artist from Victorian colonial architecture in Calcutta. This rare impression may well be the earliest known popular print of this subject and was likely intended for hand-coloring.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Narasimha Kills the Demon-King Hiranyakashipu
  • Date: 1875–80
  • Culture: Eastern India, Kolkata, West Bengal
  • Medium: Lithograph
  • Dimensions: Image: 9 3/4 in. × 8 in. (24.8 × 20.3 cm)
    Sheet: 12 3/4 × 9 1/2 in. (32.4 × 24.1 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mark Baron and Elise Boisanté, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.441.1
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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