Object Image

Vishvarupa

Unknown Artist

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu

The painting depicts Vishvarupa (universal-form) of Vishnu. The cosmos is arranged within Vishnu's body. The deity is contained in an oval frame, which can be interpreted as the cosmic egg, the source of all creation. The egg is supported by eight elephants, the tortoise Akupara and the serpent Shesha.

c. 1850
Tempera on panel
72.0 x 57.5cm
2019.122
Image and text © Trustees, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, 2022

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