Animals in Art: India.South India, Mysore region. Ganesha, thirteenth century. Chloritic chlo·rite 1 n. A generally green or black secondary mineral, (Mg,Fe,Al)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 schist schist (shĭst), metamorphic rock having a foliated, or plated, structure called schistosity in which the component flaky minerals are visible to the naked eye. . Gift of Arthur M. Sackler Arthur M. Sackler (August 22, 1913, Brooklyn, New York – May 26, 1987, New York City) was an American physician, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He attended New York University School of Medicine and graduated with an M.D. . Arthur M. Sackler Gallery The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is a gallery of Asian art located in Washington, DC, United States, part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Sackler is one of two galleries of the National Museum of Asian Art, the other being the Freer Gallery. 87,960. Ganesha, son of the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati, is one of the most popular gods in India. Worshipers pray to the elephant-headed god to ensure success before beginning any new endeavor. They usually portray him with a round belly and a happy expression. According to one legend, Parvati posted her son Ganesha as guardian of her bath and insisted that he let no one enter. Shiva had been away for a long time, so when he returned, Ganesha did not recognize his father. Shiva demanded to see his wife, but the faithful boy refused and was beheaded be·head tr.v. be·head·ed, be·head·ing, be·heads To separate the head from; decapitate. [Middle English biheden, from Old English beh . Parvati, distraught, declared that she would have no relations with her husband until her son was returned to life. Shiva therefore decreed that Ganesha would be given the head of the next being that appeared. When an elephant came along, Ganesha received that animal's head and was brought back to life in the form now beloved by millions of devotees. Why is an elephant's head a suitable replacement for a god of new beginnings? Do you know of other creatures who are part human and part animal? What are their stories? Can you find out more about Ganesha, visit www.si.edu/asia. GalleryCard submitted by Sarah Ridley, Assistant Head of Education, Freer Gallery of Art The Freer Gallery of Art is the Smithsonian Institution's museum of East Asian art, including art from China, Korea, Japan, South Asia (India), and southeast Asia, as well as American art. It opened to the general public in 1923. , Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. |
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