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Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya

ca. 1780
Not on view
After witnessing the destruction of his armies, the demon Mahisha in his buffalo form confronts Durga, crushing some of her troops under his hooves. The goddess is shown taking a drink of powerful nectar; the text tells us that she laughs with reddened eyes before entering into combat. While this drawing lacks the final application of colored pigments, it is significant that the preparatory image was brought to such a finished form; especially notable is the volumetric treatment of the buffalo.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Durga Confronts the Buffalo Demon Mahisha: Scene from the Devi Mahatmya
  • Date: ca. 1780
  • Culture: India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh
  • Medium: Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions: Page: 7 5/8 x 11 9/16 in. (19.4 x 29.4 cm)
    Image: 5 3/4 x 9 7/8 in. (14.6 x 25.1 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Cynthia Hazen Polsky, 2005
  • Object Number: 2005.436.2
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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