Four-Armed Sarasvati, Goddess of Learning, Seated in Lotus Position (Padmasana)

Art Institute of Chicago

Four-Armed Sarasvati, Goddess of Learning, Seated in Lotus Position (Padmasana)

IndiaLinkedCulture matchlcp-1953a76f7207

Date
Hoysala period, 12th century
Medium
Chlorite phyllite
Culture
Karnataka
Department
Arts of Asia
Institution
Art Institute of Chicago
Object ID
148364

From the Art Institute of Chicago record

Worshipped in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, Sarasvati derives her name from an ancient river in northwest India. Just as rivers sustain life, Sarasvati represents the ancient source of knowledge through the image of flowing waters. Here, she sits amid water, holding a palm leaf manuscript symbolizing knowledge in one hand and in the other a stringed instrument called a vina, symbolizing the harmonies and creative energies of the universe.

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Provenance & credit

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Credit line
Gift of Marilynn B. Alsdorf
Provenance
Sylvia Lawford, Switzerland, by Dec. 20, 1972 [this and the following according to letters from Spink & Son, Dec. 20, 1972, and June 21, 1973; copies in curatorial object file]; sold through Spink & Son, Zurich, May 27, 1975, to James W. Alsdorf (1913–1990) and Marilynn B. Alsdorf (1925–2019), Winnetka and Chicago, IL [according to invoice from Spink & Son, May 27, 1975; copy in curatorial object file]; by descent to Marilynn B. Alsdorf, Chicago, 1990 [on long-term loan at the Art Institute of Chicago, Sept. 17, 1997; publicly promised as a gift to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1997; signed a promised gift agreement for the work, 2002]; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, 2019.

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Object type
AAT300301253

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