Goddess Tara
This remarkable image has all the trappings of the goddess Kali but is named as the mahavidya Tara, a personification of the transcendent wisdom who guides devotees to salvation (moksha), protecting them on their journey. She is also worshipped as the source of divine energy including the power of the sun. Iconographically she is distinguished from Kali was her dark blue complexion and a swelling stomach indicating her pregnant state. In other respects, they share much, both being four-armed and wielding two butchering blades, wearing a garland of severed human heads and striding on the prostrate body of Shiva. However, unlike Kali she displays a white lotus and a skull cap (kapala) in her other hands.
While Kali favors charnel grounds, Tara is depicted here in lushly forested mountain terrain. A garland of skulls and rising cobra atop her disheveled hair, together with a silver crescent month in her radiant nimbus, underscore her close allegiance to Shiva.
While Kali favors charnel grounds, Tara is depicted here in lushly forested mountain terrain. A garland of skulls and rising cobra atop her disheveled hair, together with a silver crescent month in her radiant nimbus, underscore her close allegiance to Shiva.
Artwork Details
- Title: Goddess Tara
- Date: ca. 1880–85
- Culture: West Bengal, Calcutta
- Medium: Lithograph, printed in black with hand-coloring with watercolor and selectively applied glaze
- Dimensions: Sheet: 15 7/8 × 11 7/8 in. (40.3 × 30.2 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Purchase, Robert and Bobbie Falk Philanthropic Fund Gift, 2021
- Object Number: 2021.196
- 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.
Shib Gobin Lal
ca. 1870–80
Sasadhar Banarjee
ca. 1875–85
G. C. Dass
Unidentified artist
ca. 1880–85 (recto); ca. 1875–85 (verso)
Sasadhar Banarjee
ca. 1875–85
The Hindu Art Studio
ca. 1880–85
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.