SADASIVA ON ‘NANDI’ BULL (# 2512/3)

OPAQUE WATERCOLOR AND GOLD ON PAPER

KANGRA SCHOOL (JAMMU)

CIRCA 1820 AD

16.5 cm x 20.3 cm/ 6.5” x 8.0”

EXHIBITED:

Ithaca College Museum of Art Ithaca, New York, 1971

Lycoming College Gallery, Williamsport Pennsylvania, 1981

DESCRIPTION: “Sadasiva," the transcendental eternal. Shiva is shown eight-armed, dressed in diaphanous white embroidered robes, seated in a ‘Vira’ (right leg on left thigh) position on a bed of lotus pedals which rest on the back of a richly caparison Nandi bull. The tonality of the painting is in sharp contrast; the rocky soil of the foreground, with sparse vegetation, is offset by a brilliant orange sky against which the figure of Sadsiva and Nandi are placed. Upon the five heads rest a Jata crown with a brilliant white nimbus edged in gold rays. The right hands hold trident, drum, ankusa (elephant goad), and noose. The left hands hold rosary, lotus blossom, Sula (a ritual wand for protection) and a fruit. The painting is executed with extremely fine detailed and craftsmanship.