Śiva through the eyes of sculptors, painters, and craftsmen across the ages
Shiva Nataraja — Chola bronze, c. 1100 CE. The cosmic dancer: creation and destruction in a single gesture.
Gudimallam Lingam — 2nd century BCE–1st century CE, Andhra Pradesh. The aniconic form of Shiva: raw generative power, without face or form.
Shiva and Parvati — Red sandstone Uma-Maheshvara from Central India. The divine couple united in eternal meditation.
Ardhanarishvara — Chola period, 11th century CE, Government Museum, Chennai. Half Shiva, half Parvati: the divine androgyny made stone.
Bhairava — Ellora Caves, Maharashtra. The terrible form of Shiva: fangs, skulls, and the fire of annihilation.
Standing Shiva Mahadeva — 8th century CE, Kashmir. Cleveland Museum of Art. The ascetic god in calm, monumental power.
