Meditating Vishnu and Ten Avatars
1100-1150
Asia: India, State of Karnātaka, Karnataka
On View

Hoysala Dynasty sculptures are typified by a highly ornate style of carving and exuberantly displayed adornments. This fine example portrays Vishnu engaged in meditation surrounded by tiny representations of his ten avatars along the upper edge above his head. In the "Bagavatgita," Krishna (one of Vishnu's avatars), manifests his cosmic form and pronounces "behold my yogic splendor!"

Details

  • Title: Meditating Vishnu and Ten Avatars
  • Date: 1100-1150
  • Medium: Schist
  • Dimensions: 49-1/4 x 27-1/4 x 15-1/4 in. (125.1 x 69.2 x 38.7 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Norton Simon Foundation
  • Accession Number: F.1975.17.01.S

Object Information

  • Pal, Pratapaditya, Marg, fig. 3 pp. 56-57
  • Pal, Pratapaditya, American Collectors of Asian Art, 1986, fig. 3 pp.120-121
  • Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 1: Art from the Indian Subcontinent, 2003, no. 218 pp. 296-297
  • Campbell, Sara, Collector Without Walls: Norton Simon and His Hunt for the Best, 2010, cat. 1232 p. 385
Listen
Audio Tour
English | Español
Read
Audio Tour Transcript
English | Español
Escuchar
Audioguía
English | Español
Leer
Transcripción de Audioguía
English | Español

Image reproduction permission may be granted for scholarly or arts related commercial use. All image requests, regardless of their intended purpose, should be submitted via the reproduction request form.

Images may be protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. Additional permission may be required.

Approved requests for the reproduction of an image will receive a contract detailing all fees and conditions of use of the image. Upon receipt of both the signed contract and full payment, the Office of Rights and Reproductions will provide the image. A complimentary copy of the published material must be provided to the Norton Simon Museum.

Reproduction Request Form