The Goddess Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha (Mahishasura Mardini)

India (Rajasthan, Mewar)

Not on view

This painting portrays the climactic moment when Durga, shown as an eighteen-armed goddess, slays the demon Mahisha. Durga has already cut off Mahisha’s buffalo head and is shown bearing down on his human form, which emerges from the bleeding neck. Finished paintings of this subject are well known from the Mewar court and neighboring ateliers.

The Goddess Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha (Mahishasura Mardini), Ink, transparent and opaque watercolor on paper, India (Rajasthan, Mewar)

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