Narasimha, South India (Tamil Nadu), ca. 1700-1750. Wood with cloth and polychrome. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation and Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation Gifts, 2015
Image: www.metmuseum.org
‘Encountering Vishnu’ at the Metropolitan Museum Five rare wooden sculptural masks made in India —recently acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art— are highlighted in the special exhibition ‘Encountering Vishnu: The Lion Avatar in Indian Temple Drama’. December 19, 2015 – June 5, 2016.]]>
Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The appearances of Vishnu in many guises, known as avatars, are most famously celebrated in his Ten Avatars (Dasavatar). In this exhibition, Vishnu’s Narasimha (man-lion) appearance is celebrated with several dramatic sculptural depictions. They all explore the theme of Vishnu in his man-lion form, revealing himself at the court of an evil king in response to the king’s attempts to slay his own son for his unwavering devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu. A frightful battle ensues in which Narasimha finally overcomes the protective magic with which the evil King Hiranyanatakam surrounds himself, and Narasimha disembowels the king. Order is thus restored to the universe. This narrative is dramatically represented in sculptures and painting, and when staged it is given heightened drama by the wearing of these powerfully expressive masks. This temple drama, known as Hiranyanatakam, is still performed in the Kaveri delta region of Tamil Nadu, in villages around Thanjavur in southern India.
Along with the masks, the exhibition presents works in bronze, sandstone, and wood, as well as miniature paintings, lithographic devotional prints, and early photography, all of which illuminate the theme of Vishnu’s divine appearances. Dating from the 6th to the 20th century, the 30 works are drawn from the Met’s collection, as well as private collections, and includes an extraordinary seated sandstone Narasimha from the sixth or seventh century. Education programs include a Friday Focus lecture on April 1 and exhibition tours.
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