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South India
Vishnu-Durga
On view
Asian Art
South India, ancient empire of Vijayanagara
14th-15th century CE
granite
1969.13
43 1/16 x 19 3/4 x 9 9/16 inches
This sculpture represents a rare iteration the goddess Durga as the sister of Krishna. She is also known as Narayani. This version of the goddess is regionally limited to southwest India. In her four arms she holds objects associated with Vishnu, most apparent of which are the conch shell and chakra (wheel). Her vehicle (vahana) is a lion, which is evident behind the figure.
-Robert DeCaroli, Director of the MA Program in Art History and Professor at George Mason University.