Description
In the Hindu pantheon Brahma is in charge of carrying out the work of creation. In this tour-de-force of South Indian temple sculpture, he is in a special regal aspect, with the only elements of his typical priestly appearance being the prayer beads and the matted dreadlocks piled on his head.
Four arms connote superhuman power, and four heads convey the idea that his creative activities spread in all four directions. His upper right hand enjoins freedom from fear, and the lower holds a lotus bud associated with birth and the process of creation. His lowered left hand is held in the gift-giving gesture, suggestive of the gift of creation he will bestow upon the world.
Four arms connote superhuman power, and four heads convey the idea that his creative activities spread in all four directions. His upper right hand enjoins freedom from fear, and the lower holds a lotus bud associated with birth and the process of creation. His lowered left hand is held in the gift-giving gesture, suggestive of the gift of creation he will bestow upon the world.
Provenance
(C. T. Loo & Co. New York, NY, sold to Mrs. George A. [Lucie Matter] Forman [c. 1883–1952] for gift to the Albright Knox Art Gallery) (?–1927); Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY, deaccessioned and consigned to Sotheby's, New York for sale (1927–2007); (Sotheby's, New York, NY, March 23, 2007 sale, Lot 27, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (March 23, 2007); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2007–)
Accession Number
2007.155
Medium
granite
Dimensions
Overall: 162.6 x 48 cm (64 x 18 7/8 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund, this work was accepted in honor of Stanislaw Czuma in recognition of his long service to the CMA
