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The Goddess Bhairavi Devi with Shiva

Attributed to Payag Indian
ca. 1630–35
Not on view
In this painting, attributed to the Mughal artist Payag, a demonic form of the Hindu goddess Bhairavi, female counterpart to Shiva, sits on the body of a decomposing corpse. Wearing jewelry and a skirt made of skulls, and horns in the form of spear heads, she is accompanied by Shiva who appears in the form of a devotee. Three of her hands carry symbols of destruction, while her fourth extends a gesture of blessing. The borders, executed in gold monochrome, form a continuation of the desolate landscape in the painting itself. The inscription above the image, written in Devanagari script, identifies the figure as Bhairavi.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Goddess Bhairavi Devi with Shiva
  • Artist: Attributed to Payag (Indian, active ca. 1591–1658)
  • Date: ca. 1630–35
  • Geography: Made in India
  • Medium: Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
  • Dimensions: H. 7 1/4 in. (18.5 cm)
    W. 10 3/8 in. (26.5 cm)
  • Classification: Codices
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2011
  • Object Number: 2011.409
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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"Shah Jahan on Horseback", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album, Payag Indian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Shah Jahan on Horseback", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album
Payag
Mir 'Ali Haravi
verso: ca. 1630; recto: ca. 1530–50
Portrait of Islam Khan Mashhadi, Payag Indian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Portrait of Islam Khan Mashhadi
Payag
17th century
Prince Dara Shikoh Hunting Nilgais, Payag Indian, Opaque watercolor on paper, India (Mughal court, probably at Lahore)
Returned to lender
Prince Dara Shikoh Hunting Nilgais
Payag
ca. 1635
Nasiri Khan Directing the Siege of Qandahar, May 1631: Folio from the Windsor Padshahnama, Payag Indian, Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper, India (Mughal court at Agra)
Returned to lender
Nasiri Khan Directing the Siege of Qandahar, May 1631: Folio from the Windsor Padshahnama
Payag
ca. 1633
Humayan Seated in a Landscape with a Plane Tree, Admiring a Turban Ornament: Page from the Late Shah Jahan Album, Payag Indian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, India (Mughal court at Delhi)
Returned to lender
Humayan Seated in a Landscape with a Plane Tree, Admiring a Turban Ornament: Page from the Late Shah Jahan Album
Payag
ca. 1650

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