  
  About the Artwork
  
  
  The god Vishnu, known in Hindu traditions as the preserver of cosmic order, stands like a pillar of stability at the center of this sculpture. In one hand, he holds a mace, a weapon to combat evil. His remaining three hands, now broken, once held a lotus flower, a conch shell, and a discus (a spinning weapon) &acirc;&#128;&#148; all common attributes of Vishnu.  
The figures along the top represent Vishnu&acirc;&#128;&#153;s ten avatars &acirc;&#128;&#148; forms he takes to restore balance in the universe at times of threat. These are the fish; the great tortoise; the boar; Narasimha (part-man, part-lion); Vamana, the dwarf; four heroic men, including Rama and Krishna; and the hero riding a horse, who is yet to come. 
The seated figures near the top are other Hindu gods. Brahma, on the left, with three of his four faces visible, is known as the creator god. Shiva, on the right, is associated with destruction that allows for renewal. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva often appear together, representing the cosmic acts of creation, preservation, and destruction.
  
  
  Title
  Vishnu
  
  
  Artwork Date
  10th century
  
  Artist
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  Life Dates
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  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.
  
  
  
  
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  Medium
  Sandstone
  
  
  Dimensions
  Overall: 45 &Atilde;&#151; 25 &Atilde;&#151; 10 inches, 272 pounds (114.3 &Atilde;&#151; 63.5 &Atilde;&#151; 25.4 cm, 123.4 kg)
  Mount: 25 3/4 inches &Atilde;&#151; 11 inches (65.4 &Atilde;&#151; 27.9 cm)
  
  
  Classification
  Sculpture
  
  
  Department
  Asian Art
  
  
  Credit
  Gift of Robert B. Jacobs
  
  
  
  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&acirc;&#128;&#153;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&acirc;&#128;&#148;no longer assigned&acirc;&#128;&#148;that identify specific donors or museum patronage groups.
  
  
  
  2003.44
  
  
  Copyright
  Public Domain
  
  
  
