Vishnu-Garuda Wahan, Vishnu on his Eagle Mount Garuda
Vishnu is accompanied by his wives Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, who ride his celestial mount, the mythical man-bird Garuda, here depicted in full avian form. Vishnu is portrayed as “The Blue Lord,” richly garlanded in pearls and flowers, while his wives hold yak-hair fly whisks to fan their lord. All wear gold and jewel-encrusted crowns. Garuda has in his talons a cobra, the eagle’s mortal enemy, here symbolizing victory over nature spirits. This is a superb example of a chromolithographic Hindu devotional print designed by the famed artist Ravi Varma (1848–1906) and printed at his Fine Art Lithographic Press in Mumbai.
Artwork Details
- Title: Vishnu-Garuda Wahan, Vishnu on his Eagle Mount Garuda
- Date: Undated, ca.1895–99
- Culture: India
- Medium: Chromolithographic print on paper
- Dimensions: Sheet: 28 5/8 × 20 1/2 in. (72.7 × 52.1 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Mark Baron and Elise Boisanté, 2012
- Object Number: 2012.523.6
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Tara
1845–46
Calcutta Art Studio
ca. 1885–90
India
1886
India
1878 (?)
India
1885–90
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.