Standing Vishnu as Trivikrama

Title
Standing Vishnu as Trivikrama
Year/Period
9th century
Region
Pratihara, Uttar Pradesh, north India
Technique
Dimension
Object size: L54.5 x W9 x H109.5 cm
Accession No.
1996-00098

This is a 9th century red-beige sandstone sculpture of Vishnu from Uttar Pradesh, portrayed here as Trivikrama. This sculpture of Vishnu has some unique features. For example, the way the ‘padma’ (lotus) and ‘gada’ (mace) are represented seems to combine both shapes as one. The representation of Shankha Purusha (conch in human form) and ‘Gada Devi’ (female representation of a mace) as male and female attendants to the deity, is also an unique feature of this sculpture. This formal iconic representation of four -armed Vishnu from the Surasena area is an excellent example of Pratihara style.