Untitled (Mahisasuramardini)

One of the earliest prints in the museum’s collection, this iteration of the Mahisasuramardini image is an example of the confluence of European iconography and existing indigenous practices in India. The lore of ‘Mahisasuramardini’ represents an important episode from Hindu mythology where a goddess (Durga) slays a shape-shifting demon, marking the victory of good over evil. In this artwork, the asura, the demon, resembles a centaur, while its horned head is in accordance with the Christian anti-god, Satan. On the other hand, the border ornamentation, as well as the teardrop-shaped grass, is borrowed from woodblock motifs that can be seen in Indian textiles.