Vishnu Birthing Brahma, with Lakshmi, and four of Vishnu's avatars; Ram, Krishna, Fish, and Tortoise
2004
Outlined with red and black ink, Vishnu is depicted reclining on the great five-headed serpent, Ananta Shesha, in the cosmic ocean with the goddess Lakshmi massaging his feet. Another serpent echoes Ananta by encircling the space that encapsulates Vishnu. This twisted serpent that surrounds the scene forms a perfect circle, allowing the outside circles of pattern to guide the viewer’s eye, much like a mandala, to the inner core and Vishnu. Connected to Vishnu’s navel through a thin line, the four-headed Brahma emerges sitting upon a lotus.
In each corner of the painting, four of Vishnu’s avatars observe the scene of creation and turn to face Vishnu. Rama, with a bow and arrow in his hand, stands at the top left. Krishna plays his flute at the top right. Matsya, who has Vishnu’s upper torso and a fishtail, is at the bottom left, and Kurma is depicted at the bottom right. Flowers, leaves, and auspicious peacock-like birds with additional flowers in their beaks fill the rest of the visual space.
Pen and ink on paper
22 x 30 in. (55.9 x 76.2 cm)
Gift of David Szanton on behalf of the Ethnic Arts Foundation
2021.32.15
Provenance: The artist or Mithila Art Institute; purchased by Ethnic Arts Foundation, Berkeley, California, 1977-2014; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2021
