Twenty-Armed Dancing God Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles
10th century
Medium
Sandstone
Dimensions
67.6 × 42 × 21 cm (26 5/8 × 16 1/2 × 8 1/4 in.)
Classification
sandstone
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
148369
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is one of South Asia’s most popular deities. Venerated as the “Remover of Obstacles,” the portly god is here shown mid-step performing an exuberant dance while heavenly musicians play instruments at the corners of the frame. Beside Ganesha’s lifted left foot, his rat vahana (mount) peers up at him in adoration. In a feat of artistic virtuosity, the sculptor has carved twenty arms on this Ganesha, which is remarkable both for its quality and ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...