Surya with Retinue
9th century
Asia: India, Uttar Pradesh
On View

Images of Surya, the Vedic sun god, typically depict him standing in front of a solar aureole, with both hands raised, holding a lotus flower. Here, Surya is accompanied by his large retinue, which includes his two wives, Rajni and Nikshubha, two smaller male attendants, Dandi and Pingala, along with other celestial figures. A female figure, perhaps the earth goddess Bhudevi, stands between his feet in a spot usually reserved for his charioteer, Aruna. The absence of Aruna and the presence of the female figure both suggest that this sculpture was made in Uttar Pradesh.

Details

  • Title: Surya with Retinue
  • Date: 9th century
  • Medium: Sandstone
  • Dimensions: overall: 44-1/2 x 23-1/2 x 10-1/2 in. (113.0 x 59.7 cm)
  • Credit Line: Norton Simon Art Foundation, from the Estate of Jennifer Jones Simon
  • Accession Number: M.2010.1.48.S
  • Copyright: © Norton Simon Art Foundation

Object Information

  • Pal, Pratapaditya, Asian Art at the Norton Simon Museum, Volume 1: Art from the Indian Subcontinent, 2003, no. 77 p. 118
  • Campbell, Sara, Collector Without Walls: Norton Simon and His Hunt for the Best, 2010, cat. 1016 p. 363
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