The Goddess Devi Defeats the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha

ca. 1800

Not On View

The Goddess Devi Defeats the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha

The Goddess Devi Defeats the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha: 1 of Collection Gallery

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About the Artwork

This dynamic painting illustrates the climactic moment when Devi, the supreme Goddess in Hindu traditions, conquers the powerful demon Mahisha (“Buffalo” in Sanskrit). The story is part of the Devi Mahatmya, a devotional text about Devi’s heroic feats. Toward the end of a long battle, the Goddess jumps off her lion and onto the buffalo demon’s back. As she kicks him and strikes with her weapons, Mahisha’s demon form emerges from the buffalo’s body. She beheads him with her sword, securing victory.

In the aftermath of the battle, Mahisha’s demon army, seen retreating at lower right, is also conquered. The gods, who had previously been defeated by Mahisha, praise the Goddess — they are the crowned figures in the background, at right. The great sages, seen at left, also express their gratitude and devotion, and heavenly beings celebrate with music and dance.

The Goddess is known by many names and takes on many forms; in her battle against the buffalo demon, she is commonly called Durga.

Title The Goddess Devi Defeats the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha

Artwork Date ca. 1800

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 Image: 8 1/8 × 12 7/8 inches (20.6 × 32.7 cm) Sheet: 10 1/4 × 14 1/8 inches (26 × 35.9 cm)

Classification Paintings

Department Asian Art

Credit Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel

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. 69.429

Markings

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Provenance

Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel;
1969-present, gift to the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

For more information on provenance, please visit:

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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

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Catalogue Raisoneé

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Credit Line for Reproduction

Indian, The Goddess Devi Defeats the Buffalo Demon, Mahisha, ca. 1800, opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel, 69.429.