Museum collection · Art Institute of Chicago · 86961
God Shiva Seated in Loving Embrace with Goddess Uma on the Bull Nandi
India Madhya Pradesh, 9th century
Art Institute of Chicago · Kate S. Buckingham Fund · Public domain
- Artist
- India Madhya Pradesh
- Date
- 9th century
- Medium
- Sandstone
- Dimensions
- 79.4 × 53.3 × 18.6 cm (31 1/4 × 21 × 7 5/16 in.)
- Era
- Museum collection
Why it matters
Shiva Maheshvara (the Great Lord) and his divine mate, Uma (also called Parvati), sympolize the ideal Hindu couple. Shiva is most commonly worshipped in abstract linga form, but he also came to represent the perfect family man. Here, he is seated on his bull Nandi, with Uma resting on Shiva's thigh. Their sons, elephant-headed Ganesha and Skanda Karttikeya astride his peacock, appear among the figures at the base.