Skip to main content

The Goddess Kali Slaying Demons

c. 1700-1725
Artist/maker unknown, Indian

This painting depicts the Hindu Great Goddess in her fierce form as Kali. Her body is dark and hairy, and her breasts droop to indicate her barrenness and age. She wears strings of heads as bangles, a necklace, and anklets, and a gory skirt of severed arms. In one hand, Kali holds a blood-filled drinking bowl made from a human skull. In two other hands, she clutches the heads of four demons, whose decapitated bodies under her feet continue to spurt blood. Kali and her tiger vehicle each unleash an enormous roar. The patron of this painting, Raja Sidh Sen—who was often depicted as large and hairy, as Kali is here—was famous as a powerful practitioner of Hindu tantric (magical devotional) rites.


Object Details

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.