The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 26, 2024

Vishnu

Vishnu

800s
Overall: 43.8 cm (17 1/4 in.)
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The dark stone was highly polished and once gleamed like bronze.

Description

The axial stance and somber expression visually amplify the powerful nature of this four-armed Hindu god. The crown and fine textiles communicate his regal qualities. In his upper left hand, a conch shell signals the start of battle or the sound of OM at the opening of a mantra recited to quell inner demons. Vishnu’s followers glorify his ability to destroy demonic forces that bring imbalance and disorder, both throughout the world and within oneself.
  • ?–1980
    (Spink & Son, Ltd., London, England, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1980–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Lee, Sherman E. “The Year in Review for 1980.” The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 68, no. 6 (1981): 163–219. Mentioned: no. 303, p. 219; Reproduced: no. 303, p. 201 www.jstor.org
  • Himalayan Gallery 237 Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 9-September 17, 2023).
    Year in Review: 1980. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (June 24-July 19, 1981).
  • {{cite web|title=Vishnu|url=false|author=|year=800s|access-date=26 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1980.194