Ganesha Transcribing the Mahabharata
Unknown Artist
1878–1883
Medium
Lithograph, printed in black and hand-coloring with watercolor and selectively applied glaze
Dimensions
Sheet: 16 × 12 3/4 in. (40.6 × 32.4 cm)
Classification
Prints
Culture
West Bengal, Calcutta
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Friends of Asian Art Gifts, 2021
Accession Number
2021.205
Art Historical Context
This vibrant lithograph, *Ganesha Transc the Mahabharata captures a pivotal moment from Hindu mythology: the elephant-headed god Ganesha, of obstacles and patron of arts and letters, diligently scribes the epic *Mahabharata* as dictated by the sage Vyasa. Produced in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, 1878 and 1883, it reflects the city's flourishing printmaking scene during British colonial rule, where affordable lithographs brought sacred narratives to homes and temples across India. Printed in black ink on paper and then meticulously hand-colored with watercolor and selective glazes, the...