Picture, Ganesha

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This picture depicts 'Ganesha', the elephant-headed god of Hindu mythology. It was painted in ink and watercolour by an Indian artist in Calcutta. It dates from the 19th century.

This painting shows Ganesa, the elephant-headed god, son of Shiva and Pravati. In front of him lies his vahana or vehicle, the rat. The painting is known as Kalighat, which refers to a class of painting executed in watercolour on mill-made paper.

Kalighats were painted primarily by scroll painters cum potters who had migrated in the 19th century from the villages of Indian Bengal to Calcutta. There they set up shop around the Kalighat temple. Paintings of this genre were also sold in the bazaars and fairs near other religious places throughout Calcutta.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-002-203-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1912.291.21
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Paper, ink or watercolour
  Picture
  
• Dimensions: 16.00" x 10.75"
  
• What: Picture
  
• Subject: Paintings and manuscripts
  
• Who: Ganesa
  
• Where: India
  
• Event:
• Description: Hindu picture depicting Ganesa: Indian, by a native artist
  
• References:
• Translations:
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