We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Shiva and his family

1780-1800

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    India
    Cultural origin
    Pahari, Kangra or Garhwahl (?)
    Date
    1780-1800
    Media categories
    Miniature , Painting , Watercolour
    Materials used
    opaque watercolour (gouache) on paper
    Dimensions
    26.0 x 19.2 cm
    Credit
    Gift of Dr Nigel and Mrs Norma Hawkins 2010. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    27.2010
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    This is a family portrait of the Hindu god Shiva on Mount Kailasha. Shiva sits on a leopard skin with dishevelled hair, a sign of his ascetic practices. He is surrounded by his wife Parvati, his elephant-headed son, Ganesha, and multi-headed son, Karttikeya, who play the musical instruments vina and drums. Shiva’s bull mount, Nandi, Ganesha's rat mount and Karttikeya's peacock mount relax around the group.

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    India

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 2 exhibitions

    • One hundred flowers (2011), Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 01 Sep 2011–15 Jan 2012

    • Glorious, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 27 May 2017–06 Jan 2019

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication

    • Jill Sykes (Editor), Look, 'Love in India' byJackie Menzies, pg.12-13, Sydney, Oct 2014, 13(colour illus.).

  • Provenance

    Dr Nigel and Mrs Norma Hawkins, pre Feb 2010, Australia, gift to the Art Gallery of New South Wales by Dr Nigel and Mrs Norma Hawkins, Australia, 2010.