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The Goddess Kali, 1800s. Creator: Unknown
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The Goddess Kali, 1800s. Creator: Unknown
The Goddess Kali, 1800s. Black-skinned, four-armed, her tongue out, and blood dripping from her mouth, Kali has a third eye--representative of enlightened or divine knowledge--on her forehead. Simultaneously benevolent and dangerous, she holds a sword and a demons severed head in two hands while the other two hands are in gestures of protection and blessing. This image would have been sold as a pilgrim souvenir to both locals and the colonial British around the Kalighat temple and is a replica of the image worshipped inside the temple (see below). The frightening image of Kali especially fit into the colonial imagination and into Victorian popular culture and would have been an iconic souvenir/artifact to be shown to intrigued and horrified friends at home in England
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Media ID 19644242
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Black Ink Calcutta Kalighat Painting
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This print showcases the enigmatic and powerful figure of The Goddess Kali, dating back to the 1800s. Created by an unknown artist, this depiction of Kali portrays her with black skin, four arms, and a strikingly fierce expression. With her tongue out and blood dripping from her mouth, she exudes both benevolence and danger. One cannot help but be drawn to the third eye on her forehead, symbolizing divine knowledge and enlightenment. In two of her hands, she holds a sword and the severed head of a demon while using the other two hands in gestures of protection and blessing. Originally sold as a pilgrim souvenir near the Kalighat temple in India to locals as well as colonial British visitors, this image is an exact replica of the revered deity worshipped inside. Its terrifying portrayal resonated deeply within both colonial imaginations and Victorian popular culture. For those fortunate enough to possess such an iconic artifact during that era, it became a source of intrigue for friends back home in England. This particular print is crafted using tin paint on paper with black ink and watercolor techniques. Preserved by Heritage Art/Heritage Images at The Cleveland Museum of Art, this extraordinary piece offers us a glimpse into ancient Indian heritage through its rich symbolism and artistic mastery.
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