Artwork preview

Shiva Seated with Uma (Umamaheshvara)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The statue depicts two figures, a larger one on the left and a smaller one on the right, sitting on a round base. The base features a carved edge resembling petals. The larger figure, Shiva, sits cross-legged with his right leg bent in front of him and his left leg bent behind. His right arm is raised with the index finger extended upwards. He wears a crown-like structure on his head, adorned with multiple small round protrusions. A long necklace hangs around his neck, and a cloth drapes across his chest and around his waist. The smaller figure, Uma, sits cross-legged to Shiva's right. She faces forward with her hands raised. Her hair is styled similarly to Shiva's, with a crown-like structure on her head. Both figures are made of dark brown material with reddish undertones, exhibiting signs of aging and wear. The background transitions from dark gray at the top to light gray at the bottom.

Artwork Details

Date
11th century
Medium
Copper alloy
Culture
Nepal (Kathmandu Valley)
Dimensions
542 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette