Devi Slaying the Demon Dhumra-Lochana

ca. 1730

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About the Artwork

In this painting, Devi, considered the supreme Goddess in Hindu traditions, slays a demon named Dhumra-Lochana, Sanskrit for “Smoky-Eyes.” Seated on a lotus in her mountain abode, Devi wields swords, knives, a bow and arrows, and other threatening weapons in her eighteen hands. However, it is through the power of her voice alone that she defeats this demon. As Smoky-Eyes rushes at her, she bellows the sound “Hmmmmm!” and reduces him to ashes.

This painting once belonged to a manuscript of a Sanskrit devotional text called the Devi Mahatmya, which recounts Devi’s heroic feats. Throughout the narrative, the Goddess takes on many forms and is known by many names. In the verse inscribed on the back of this page, she is called Ambika.

Title Devi Slaying the Demon Dhumra-Lochana

Artwork Date ca. 1730

Artist ----------

Life Dates ----------

Nationality Please note: Definitions for nationality may vary significantly, depending on chronology and world events. Some definitions include: Belonging to a people having a common origin based on a geography and/or descent and/or tradition and/or culture and/or religion and/or language, or sharing membership in a legally defined nation. Indian

Culture Please note: Cultures may be defined by the language, customs, religious beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a group. ----------

Medium Opaque watercolor and gold on paper

Dimensions Sheet: 5 1/4 × 7 1/4 inches (13.3 × 18.4 cm)

Classification Paintings

Department Asian Art

Credit Founders Society Purchase, General Membership Fund

Accession Number This unique number is assigned to an individual artwork as part of the cataloguing process at the time of entry into the permanent collection. Most frequently, accession numbers begin with the year in which the artwork entered the museum’s holdings. For example, 2008.3 refers to the year of acquisition and notes that it was the 3rd of that year. The DIA has a few additional systems—no longer assigned—that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups. 26.392.A

Markings

Inscriptions Inscribed, in Sanskrit, in Devanagari script, on verso, center of page: (Translation adapted from Thomas B. Coburn, Encountering the Goddess, p. 59 [Devi Mahatmya verse 6.9]: Thus addressed, the demon Dhumralochana [Smoky-Eyes] rushed at her. Ambika reduced him to ashes with the sound of "Hmmmmm!") Inscribed, in Devanagari numerals, on verso, upper left corner: (||68||)

Provenance

(Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy);
1926-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

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Exhibition History

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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.

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Published References

Coomaraswamy, Ananda K. Rajput Painting, vol. 2. Oxford, 1916, (pl. 26-A) [as Pahari, Jammu, 17th century].

A.C. Eastman. "Six Indian Paintings." Bulletin of the DIA 8, no. 5 (February 1927).

DIA Picture Book: Art of India, China and Japan. Detroit, 1946, p. 10 (ill.).

Rajput Painting. Exh. cat., Asia Society. New York, 1960, cat. no. 60 [as Punjab Hills, Basholi, ca. 1700].

DIA Picture Book: Art of India, China and Japan. Detroit, 1961, p. 44 (ill.).

Miniatures and Small Sculptures from India Exhibition Catalogue. Exh. cat., University Gallery, University of Florida. Gainesville, 1966, cat. no. 59.

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Indian, Devi Slaying the Demon Dhumra-Lochana, ca. 1730, opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Detroit Institute of Arts, Founders Society Purchase, General Membership Fund, 26.392.A.