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Goddess Sarasvati

ca. 1890–20
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 251
In this spectacularly large representation of Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge and the arts is seen astride Vishnu’s eagle, Garuda, flying high above rolling mountain ranges. Instead of holding her characteristic book of learning and her favored instrument, the vina, she has the signature attributes of Vishnu in her four hands: the discus, the conch, the lotus, and the mace. She is stern and martial, more akin to Vishnu than a gentle goddess of knowledge. Likewise, she is shown blue-hued like Vishnu rather than with her characteristic white complexion. In the Bengali Vaishnava tradition Sarasvati is considered the first wife of Vishnu. This print carries her devotional hymn (stotra).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Goddess Sarasvati
  • Date: ca. 1890–20
  • Culture: India
  • Medium: Color lithograph
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 17 3/4 × 22 in. (45.1 × 55.9 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Purchase, The Kipper Family Foundation Gift, 2021
  • Object Number: 2021.218
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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