id:			162427
accession number:	2003.103
share license status:	CC0
url:			https://clevelandart.org/art/2003.103
updated:		2021-05-07 09:04:05.876000

Durga Killing the Demon Mahisha, c. 1890. Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat. Watercolor, graphite, ink, and tin on paper; secondary support: 50.5 x 32 cm (19 7/8 x 12 5/8 in.); painting only: 45.8 x 28.3 cm (18 1/16 x 11 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.103

title:				Durga Killing the Demon Mahisha
title in original language:	
series:				
series in original language:	
creation date:			c. 1890
creation date earliest:		1875
creation date latest:		1905
current location:		
creditline:			Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward
copyright:			

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culture:	Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat
technique:	Watercolor, graphite, ink, and tin on paper
department:	Indian and Southeast Asian Art
collection:	Indian Art
type:		Painting
find spot:	
catalogue raisonne: 

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CREATORS

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measurements: Secondary Support: 50.5 x 32 cm (19 7/8 x 12 5/8 in.); Painting only: 45.8 x 28.3 cm (18 1/16 x 11 1/8 in.)
state of the work:	
edition of the work: 	

support materials:


inscriptions:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

	title:		Indian Kalighat Paintings
	opening date:   2011-05-01T00:00:00
	<i>Indian Kalighat Paintings</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (May 1-September 18, 2011).

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

* Cleveland Museum of Art, (5/1/11-9/18/11); "Indian Kalighat Paintings" <br><br>Main Gallery Rotation (Gallery 242B): April 6, 2016 -

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PROVENANCE

	William E. Ward [1922-2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
	date: ?-2003
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


	The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
	date: 2003-
	footnotes: 	
	citations: 	


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fun fact: 


digital description: 
A ten-armed Durga stands triumphant as she grabs the hair of the buffalo demon’s true form, one foot on his neck, about to plunge the spear into his heart. Interestingly, the demon wears European buckled shoes; this painting was made in the British enclave then known as Calcutta. Made by artists who sold their works in a goddess temple bazaar, this painting was made with rapid brush strokes and thin paint layers on inexpensive paper. Exuberant in their devotional vitality and visceral color sensibilities, Kalighat paintings achieved acclaim among modern artists of the 20th century.

wall description: 
Believed to be a manifestation of the Great Goddess, the goddess Durga is portrayed here killing Mahisha, a demon in buffalo form. As described in the Devimahatmya (Glorification of the Great Goddess), Mahisha had defeated the gods in heaven. At their request Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma created Durga to defeat him. Durga is depicted here on her vehicle (vahana), the lion, with a sword in her right hand and left foot pressed upon Mahisha’s throat, her face ruddy with intoxication and anticipation, poised to kill him.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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IMAGES

web:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2003.103/2003.103_web.jpg
print:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2003.103/2003.103_print.jpg
full:	https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2003.103/2003.103_full.tif