Shiva under treesc. 1780 · Study 1960.48

Context from the museum

Cut from a larger composition, this fragment shows the god Shiva who has come down to earth. He seems alluringly approachable despite his white body, the snake around his neck, his third eye, trident weapon, animal-skin garment, and the crescent moon at his brow. Set off against a flat red background, he stands under two shade trees that make his manifestation on earth believable. One tree is entwined around the other, metaphorically suggesting the physical love Shiva seems to wistfully desire.

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

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected overall measurement for Shiva under trees is 14 cm wide and 18.2 cm high, equivalent to approximately 5.5 × 7.2 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.77:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.03 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 4.7% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 143.0 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 Shiva under trees in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 14 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?