Das Avataras, Ten Incarnations of Vishnu (verso), from a Kalighat albumc. 1890 · Study 2003.114.b

Context from the museum

This hastily hand-colored woodcut depicts a set of ten avatars, or incarnations, of the Hindu god Vishnu as recognized in 1800s Bengal. In each avatar, Vishnu descended to earth in order restore balance and order to the world. In the top register, from left to right, are Vishnu’s avatars as fish, tortoise, boar, man-lion, and Brahmin. Below are Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Jagannath, and Kalki. The image of Rama shows him after his victory over the demon Ravana. He sits with Sita, crowned, holding bow and arrow. His monkey general Hanuman stands before him in a gesture of adoration.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

The hero Rama is can be seen in the lower register, second from left, with his wife Sita and devotee Hanuman.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting only measurement for Das Avataras, Ten Incarnations of Vishnu (verso), from a Kalighat album is 42.7 cm wide and 28.3 cm high, equivalent to approximately 16.8 × 11.1 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.51:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.12 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 14.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 128.7 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Das Avataras, Ten Incarnations of Vishnu (verso), from a Kalighat album in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Woodcut, hand colored with gum tempera, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 42.7 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?