Indian Art in Terms of Iconography, It Assessment

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Indian Art

In terms of iconography, it is quite obvious that the works of art known as Shiva Nataraja, which is displayed on the Smithsonian's website, and Siva as Lord of Dance, which is displayed on the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston's web site, are depictions of the Hindu god Shiva. One of the most eminent ways in which this information is conveyed, of course, is via the titles of these respective works. However, even if they were untitled, the prudent viewer would recognize them as Shiva. Shiva is the Hindu deity who is not portrayed as anthropomorphic -- the fact that there are multiple arms (far more than two) in each of these works helps to underscore this fact. Additionally, the fact that the physiognomy of the being depicted in both works is male also alludes to the fact that this is a male god, Shiva, "the destroyer of evil" (1).

In both works it appears as though Shiva is dancing. This interpretation of this depiction is largely dependent on the fact that in each work his limbs on crossing his body, his face is smiling and pleased, and he appears to be carefully balanced on his feet as though in the midst of some act of motion.
The Smithsonian work is constructed of bronze and is fairly diminutive: it is approximately 70 by 50 centimeters. The other work is constructed of a reddish-colored sandstone and is equally small -- it is barely over a foot tall. Being that these images or of a God, they were apparently produced to assist in worship of the Hindu religion.

In this respect these works share the same sort of functionality. Because of their relatively small size, they were likely used as pieces (if not centerpiece) in a domestic setting. They would have probably been placed in places of a home that was dedicated as a shrine to worshipping, or to parts of a home to denote the presence of this God and the blessings he bestowed.

The primary similarity between the work of art….....

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