Descent of the Ganges

c. 1700–1710

Maker Unknown

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Descent of the Ganges, c. 1700–1710. Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Chamba. Gum tempera and gold on paper; page: 20.8 x 29.8 cm (8 3/16 x 11 3/4 in.); image: 17.6 x 26.9 cm (6 15/16 x 10 9/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.111 Shiva and Parvati sit atop a three-tiered mountain while below, Bhagiratha receives the Ganges issuing from Shiva’s jata. Before Shiva, against a yellow background and seated at the edge of a pool, are three ascetics. One is frozen with his hand up after meditating for so long in that position. Shiva and the other sages rest on tiger hides.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: Gum tempera and gold on paper
Medium: gum, tempera, gold, paper
Dimensions: Page: 20.8 x 29.8 cm (8 3/16 x 11 3/4 in.); Image: 17.6 x 26.9 cm (6 15/16 x 10 9/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: no. 10. 5451 Translation: [Number] 10. 5451 Remark: Added later in Red Ink. Number 5451 written with pencil
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 2018.111
Credit Line: Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Exhibitions: Supernatural Love - Indian Gallery 242 Rotation
Rights Statement: CC0