Artwork preview

Tree Dryad (Shalabhanjika)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image features a stone sculpture titled "Tree Dryad (Shalabhanjika)" by an unknown artist. The sculpture depicts a standing woman. The woman has a slender build and is positioned with her right leg slightly bent and her weight on her right leg, while her left leg is relaxed. She wears jewelry including earrings, a necklace, and a decorative belt around her waist. Her right arm is straight down by her side, while her left arm is bent at the elbow. The woman appears to be emerging from or standing beside a tree trunk. The sculpture is rectangular in shape with a rough texture, indicating it is carved from stone. The woman's facial expression is calm. She has a hairstyle that frames her face, with some strands pulled back. The base of the sculpture is flat. The overall stance and attire suggest a representation of a tree spirit or dryad.

Artwork Details

Date
12th–13th century
Medium
Ferruginous stone
Culture
India (Orissa)
Dimensions
207 × 625 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette