Harvard Art Museums > 1971.128: Narayana Enthroned with Lakshmi and Sarasvati Paintings Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Narayana Enthroned with Lakshmi and Sarasvati , 1971.128,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Nov 24, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/216266. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 1971.128 Title Narayana Enthroned with Lakshmi and Sarasvati Other Titles Title: Vishnu Enthroned Classification Paintings Work Type painting Date c. 1830 Places Creation Place: South Asia, India, Himachal Pradesh, Kangra Culture Indian Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/216266 Physical Descriptions Medium Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Pahari Style, Kangra School Dimensions sight: 23 x 15.8 cm (9 1/16 x 6 1/4 in.) Inscriptions and Marks inscription: Language: Hindi Script: Devanagari Lakumi Om namo Narayana Sarasvati Lakshmi I bow to Narayana Sarasvati Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of John Kenneth Galbraith Accession Year 1971 Object Number 1971.128 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description In this painting, Narayana, who is considered the absolute supreme deity in Hinduism, is enthroned. In Vaishnavism, a sect that reveres the Hindu god Vishnu as Narayana. Here, Narayana is depicted as Vishnu, one of the members of the Hindu Trimurti (Trinity), as conveyed by the accoutrements he bears: a lotus, a mace, a conch shell, and Sudarshana Chakra, which he holds against his lap and is partially obscured by the throne. Sudarshana Chakra is Vishnu’s iconic, spinning, disc-like weapon. Based on the orientation of the inscription and the figures, the female figures attending to Narayana can be identified. The first word is “Lakumi” or “Lakshmi”, thus, at his feet is Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, who has just fastened an anklet onto Narayana. Behind the throne and holding up a fly whisk is Sarasvati, the goddess of knowledge, the arts, and music. Pahari Style, Kangra School. Publication History Stuart Cary Welch and Milo Cleveland Beach, Gods, Thrones, and Peacocks Northern Indian Painting from Two Traditions, exh. cat., Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York, NY, 1965), page 109/figure 77 Exhibition History Ambassador's Choice: The Galbraith Collection of Indian Painting, Harvard University Art Museums, Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 02/15/1986 - 04/06/1986 Rasika, the Discerning Connoisseur: Indian Paintings from the John Kenneth Galbraith Collection, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 01/31/1998 - 04/05/1998 Women in South Asian Art, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 08/26/2017 - 01/07/2018 Verification Level This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
