The central figure is adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colors, depicted with a prominent trunk. The figure is wearing a crown and an attire that features bold colors, including pink, orange, and deep blue. The figure holds symbolic items in their hands.
Type of Painting
Watercolor
Artwork Details
Medium
Paper, ink, Watercolor
Subject
Lord Ganesha
Subject Person or Organization
Lord Ganesha
Subject Place
Country
India
Acquisition
Accession
1998.09
Source or Donor
Derek Davenport
Acquisition Method
Gift
Credit Line
Gift of Derek Davenport
Made/Created
Time Period
Late 20th century
Ethnography
Cultural Region
Region
Madhubani
Country
India
Notes
Traditionally produced by women, Madhubani/Mithila paintings are identifiable by bright colors, geometric patterning, and two-dimensionality.
Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
Attribution, Note
Location
Back Upper Left Corner
Transcription
"LORD GANESH"
The Elephant God - son of
Lord Shiva & Parvati
Language
English
Material/Technique
Pen
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
Painting
Nomenclature Class
Art
Nomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication Objects
Dimensions
Height
29-7/8 in
Width
21-5/8 in
Provenance
Notes
Derek Davenport (1927-2017), West Lafayette, Indiana; donated to the Purdue University Galleries in 1998
Exhibition
Paintings from India: Historical and Modern (2019)
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Exhibition label
Label
(From Paintings from India: Historical and Modern Reuff West Feb 11-22, 2019):
Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, Lord Ganesha is known to remove obstacles and also has a reputation as a patron of arts and sciences. Attributes of his include an axe and elephant goad. The Aum or Om and Modak also are common symbols. Modaks are sweet steamed dumplings which the Lord is fond of, and they resemble bags of money, a symbol of wealth.
