Artwork preview

Karttikeya, the God of War

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Gray stone sculpture of Karttikeya, the God of War, standing on a base with a rounded rectangular shape. The deity has four arms, with the front right arm bent at the elbow and the hand resting on the thigh, and the front left arm holding a staff. The back arms are bent at the elbow. Wearing a dhoti with a decorative border and a necklace. The figure has large earrings and a distinctive hairstyle. A peacock is positioned to the left of the deity, and a round object, possibly a halo or sun, is behind the deity's head. The background is gray, gradually lightening towards the bottom.

Artwork details

Date:
6th–7th century
Medium:
Stone
Culture:
Pakistan (ancient region of Gandhara)
Dimensions:
518 × 624 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette