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
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette