Mahisasuramardini

ca. 10th century

1 of 2

Object Label

A somewhat mysterious figure whose artistic reputation rests on this single impressive work, John Mason Furness began his artistic career during the 1780s as an engraver in Boston. By 1785, he took up residence, presumably as a painter, in the studio formerly occupied by the famous John Smibert. In light of his substantial skills as a draftsman and engraver, Furness was particularly well suited to paint the respected Boston schoolmaster and cartographer John Vinall (1736 1823). In this striking, crisply drawn, and informal yet imposing portrait, Vinall is shown seated beside a table, on which are displayed his case of drafting implements, a compass, and an unfinished map.

Caption

Mahisasuramardini, ca. 10th century. Tan sandstone, 18 1/4 x 17 1/8 x 4 5/8 in., 53 lb. (46.4 x 43.5 x 11.7 cm, 24.04kg) mount: 18 1/2 × 16 5/8 × 5 1/8 in. (47 × 42.2 × 13 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim, 1994.199.5. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.199.5_front_PS6.jpg)

Title

Mahisasuramardini

Date

ca. 10th century

Geography

Place made: Central region, India

Medium

Tan sandstone

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

18 1/4 x 17 1/8 x 4 5/8 in., 53 lb. (46.4 x 43.5 x 11.7 cm, 24.04kg) mount: 18 1/2 × 16 5/8 × 5 1/8 in. (47 × 42.2 × 13 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim

Accession Number

1994.199.5

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

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