![](https://vmfa-dmz-new.piction.com/piction/ump.di?e=3A40AE938E29F7A0EB95F89F0B4F92E72332B7D1B92C462AF6D6011E00187A9B&s=21&se=1618128786&v=1&f=xx68_8_27_v1_TF_201003_o7.jpg)
Lakshminarayana (Primary Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Hindu deities are often depicted as half male and half female to express their all-encompassing greatness, which transcends all conventional dualities. This image combines the god Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi into a single form known as Lakshminarayana. The deity’s left side has a woman’s breast, wears a woman’s earring, and holds a brimming pot, a mirror, and other attributes associated with Lakshmi. Its right side has a flat chest, wears a man’s earring, and holds a mace, a discus, and other attributes of Vishnu.
Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Gift of Paul Mellon
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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