Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva thumbnail 1
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

Painting
ca. 1770 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The three greatest Hindu deities are shown here together with their consorts. They are sometimes regarded as a trinity, who together represent aspects of the supreme godhead. The four-headed Brahma, holding copies of the oldest Indian sacred scriptures, the Vedas, together with his consort Saraswati, symbolises the power of creation. Next to him the blue Vishnu, with his consort Lakshmi, represents the energy that upholds and preserves creation. To their right Shiva, with his wife Parvati, embodies the power of destruction. All three divine couples sit on lotus flowers, which are one of the most ancient Indian symbols of purity and spiritual power. This painting may have been made for the enjoyment of a local nobleman or ruler and was probably the work of local artists in north-west India.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBrahma, Vishnu and Shiva (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Painted in opaque watercolour on paper
Brief description
Painting, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva seated on lotuses with their consorts, opaque watercolour on paper, Guler, ca. 1770
Physical description
Painting, in opaque watercolour on paper, depicting Brahma (with Saraswati), Vishnu (with Lakshmi) and Shiva (with Parvati) seated on lotuses with their consorts.
Dimensions
  • Height: 134mm
  • Width: 222mm (maximum)
19/06/2013 dimensions measured as part of Indian Paintings Cataloguing Project 2013; object irregular in shape
Content description
Brahma (with Saraswati), Vishnu (with Lakshmi) and Shiva (with Parvati) seated on lotuses with their consorts.
Styles
Credit line
Purchased with the assistance of Lady Rothenstein and Art Fund
Object history
Previously in the Rothenstein Collection.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The three greatest Hindu deities are shown here together with their consorts. They are sometimes regarded as a trinity, who together represent aspects of the supreme godhead. The four-headed Brahma, holding copies of the oldest Indian sacred scriptures, the Vedas, together with his consort Saraswati, symbolises the power of creation. Next to him the blue Vishnu, with his consort Lakshmi, represents the energy that upholds and preserves creation. To their right Shiva, with his wife Parvati, embodies the power of destruction. All three divine couples sit on lotus flowers, which are one of the most ancient Indian symbols of purity and spiritual power. This painting may have been made for the enjoyment of a local nobleman or ruler and was probably the work of local artists in north-west India.
Collection
Accession number
IS.169-1951

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Record createdNovember 6, 2002
Record URL
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