Vishnu on Garuda Slaying a Demon
mid-18th century
Medium
Ink and wash on paper
Dimensions
Image (sight): 8 1/2 x 12 3/8 in. (21.6 x 31.4 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture
India (Pahari Hills, Guler)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Subhash Kapoor, in memory of his parents, Smt Shashi Kanta and Shree Parshotam Ram Kapoor, 2008
Accession Number
2008.359.4
Tags
Art Historical Context
This dynamic painting from the mid-18th century captures a vivid episode from Hindu mythology, showing Vishnu, the preserver deity, riding his eagle mount Garuda as he confronts and slays a demon. Created by Manaku of the renowned Seu family in the Guler court of the Pahari Hills, the work reflects the refined artistic traditions of northern India’s hill states. These small kingdoms fostered a golden age of devotional painting, blending Mughal influences with local lyricism to illustrate epic tales from the Puranas and other sacred texts. Executed in delicate ink and wash on paper, the compos...
About the Artist
Seu Family|Manaku ( |Indian) · |1715 – |1770
|Indian, active ca. 1725–60