ClassificationsAsian Art

Avatars of Vishnu: Varaha, the Boar

Possible OriginChamba, India, Asia

Dateca. 1730-1740

MediumOpaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper

Credit LineGift of Jayantilal K. and Geeta J. Patel and family to further the study of Hinduism

DimensionsImage: 6 1/4 × 9 1/2 in. (15.9 × 24.1 cm) Page: 7 1/2 × 10 3/4 in. (19.1 × 27.3 cm) Mat: 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm)

Object number2017.012.001

Label TextVaraha, the mighty boar avatar of Vishnu, pummels Hiranyaskha with his mace as he rescues the Earth goddess Bhudevi from the depths of the ocean where the horned demon has tried to drown her. Varaha wields Vishnu’s mace and discus in his right hands and holds the lotus and conch in his left. Notice the way the artist has depicted the lower bodies in battle below the surface of the turbulent and murky cosmic ocean, in contrast with Varaha’s calm upward gaze as he brings order out of chaos. The Earth, effortlessly balanced on Varaha’s tusk, is painted with a single cow, representing her divine bounty.
Exhibition HistoryThe Avatars of Vishnu, Michael C. Carlos Museum, April 24 - July 18, 2021
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, August 28, 2021 - Present

ProvenanceEx Lanier Collection, acquired 1990s. Purchased by MCCM from Sotheby's New York, March 15, 2017, lot 311.

Status

On view

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