Devi Shrine
Unknown Artist
c. 1810
Medium
Gum tempera and gold on paper
Dimensions
31.8 × 24.1 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Nancy and Wayne Hunnicutt
Accession Number
2020.80
About this artwork
The sacred space of a Hindu shrine is separated from the everyday world by an enclosure wall. The mount of the goddess, a tiger, perches on a pedestal in front, gazing into the sanctum. On either side of the doorway are the monkey god Hanuman and the elephant-headed Ganesha seated on his mount, the rat. They ensure protection and success of a devotee’s worship. This powerful six-armed goddess has been dressed and adorned as a living presence. She holds a different weapon in each hand. She offere...