Vaishnavi Dancing (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
This dynamically posed figure is Vaishnavi, who-like Varahi at the far right-is one of the Matrikas (Mothers). Though their number varies, the Matrikas were most often shown in sets of seven, accompanied by Ganesha and Shiva. As the shakti (power) of the god Vishnu, Vaishnavi holds his attributes-flaming discus, conch shell, mace-and wears his miter-shaped crown. Vishnu's bird-man mount, Garuda, stands to her right, paired with a female attendant on her left. Shown in the act of dancing, she probably comes from a set of Matrikas who all danced to the beat of Shiva- shown as Lord of Music (Vinadhara) or Lord of Dance (Nataraja).
Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Paul Mellon
1966-1968 "The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection", Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, November 21, 1966 - January 8, 1967; Los Angeles County Museum, CA, February 8 - April 2, 1967; Detroit Institute of Arts, MI, June 20 - August 6, 1967; VMFA, September 18 - October 14, 1967; Royal Ontario Museum, January 22 - March 10, 1968
Dye, Joseph M. The Arts of India: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. London: Philipp Wilson, 2001. (cat. no. 39, pp. 140-141)
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
