Book Cover with Four Durgas

18th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 252

Devi, manifest in numerous forms, is central to devotion in the Brahmanical world. The goddess has been honored since at least the fifth century CE by a foundational text written in Sanskrit known as both the Devi-Mahatmya (Greatness/Virtues of the Goddess) and Durga-Saptasati (700 Verses to Durga). This text defines the supreme divine force as female, and places her at the center of ultimate reality. This richly painted book cover depicts four forms of the goddess in the act of slaying the demon (asura) Mahisha. The Nepalese painter understood well her power to bring terror to evil and comfort to her devotees.. .

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Book Cover with Four Durgas
Date: 18th century
Culture: Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)
Medium: Distemper on wood
Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (11.4 x 36.8 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Nancy Wiener Hamill, 2004
Object Number: 2004.555.3
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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