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Hanuman Conversing

11th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 240
One of the most appealing Hindu deities, Hanuman’s bravery, courage, and loyalty throughout the Ramayana epic are renowned. Here, he gestures obeisance to Rama with his raised left hand while engaging in animated discussion with his Lord. This sculpture was part of an ensemble with Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana at its center. It was included among an assemblage of processional icons kept by Vaishnava temples in South India for festival use. Typical of Chola-period representations, Hanuman has assumed anthropomorphic form, with only his face and tail confirming his monkey identity. Among the finest bronze images of Hanuman to have survived from the Chola kingdom of south India, this work embodies his noble, virtuous character with great sensitivity.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Hanuman Conversing
  • Period: Chola period
  • Date: 11th century
  • Culture: India (Tamil Nadu)
  • Medium: Copper alloy
  • Dimensions: H. 25 3/8 in. (64.5 cm); W. 7 1/4 in. (18.4 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Bequests of Mary Clarke Thompson, Fanny Shapiro, Susan Dwight Bliss, Isaac D. Fletcher, William Gedney Beatty, John L. Cadwalader and Kate Read Blacque, Gifts of Mrs. Samuel T. Peters, Ida H. Ogilvie, Samuel T. Peters and H. R. Bishop, F. C. Bishop and O. M. Bishop, Rogers, Seymour and Fletcher Funds, and other gifts, funds and bequests from various donors, by exchange, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.220.9
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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Hanuman Conversing - India (Tamil Nadu) - Chola period - The Metropolitan Museum of Art