Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja)

Chola period, about 10th/11th century

In this sculpture, the Hindu divinity Shiva, depicted as the Lord of the Dance (Nataraja), performs a cosmic dance that sets in motion the rhythm of life and death. Considered one of the most sublime images in Indian art, the dancing Shiva destroys everything, allowing creation to start all over again. His right leg, planted on the demon of darkness, stamps out ignorance.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

India Tamil Nadu

Date

Chola period, about 10th/11th century

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

69.3 × 61.8 × 24.1 cm (27 1/4 × 24 1/4 × 9 1/2 in.)

Origin

Tamil Nadu

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Kate S. Buckingham Fund