Vishnu on Ananta, the Endless Serpent

c. 1700

Vishnu on Ananta, the Endless Serpent, c. 1700. Northern India, Himachal Pradesh, Pahari Kingdom of Chamba. Gum tempera and gold on paper; page: 17.8 x 17.6 cm (7 x 6 15/16 in.); image: 17.1 x 16.7 cm (6 3/4 x 6 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 2018.155 The background is mauve brown with a water design in basket weave pattern outlined in black. Alternating lotus leaves and flowers fill the water area. Brahma emerges from Vishnu’s navel while Lakshmi caresses his feet. The artist has depicted Vishnu’s oceanic abode as a lotus pond.