About this artwork
One of the principal gods of Hinduism, Vishnu is regarded as the preserver of the universe. He stands regally in this sculpture from the Gupta period, wearing a simple crown and a long garland. Originally four-armed, he would have held weapons—a mace, conch, and discus—in three hands. This early image includes a round object, variously interpreted as the earth or a fruit, in his lowered fourth hand. In later images of Vishnu, this hand typically holds a lotus.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 141
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Department
- Arts of Asia
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Title
- Four-Armed God Vishnu
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Place
- Uttar Pradesh (Object made in:)
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Date
- 401 CE–500 CE
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Medium
- Sandstone
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Dimensions
- 84.8 × 44.2 × 16.6 cm (33 3/8 × 17 3/8 × 6 1/2 in.)
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Credit Line
- James W. and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection. Gift of Marilynn Alsdorf
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Reference Number
- 2021.242
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/148363/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.