Shiva and Parvati (Birth of Ganesha / Emergence of the Third Eye)
Original Print / Etching • Attributed to an artist of the Bengal School or Neo-Tantric movement, likely Indian origin given the iconographic accuracy (Manner of Manjit Bawa or Ramananda Bandyopadhyay).
Style & Movement
Modern Indian Art / Neo-Tantric / Symbolism
Medium & Technique
Etching and drypoint on heavy wove paper; features dense cross-hatching, stippling, and selective wiping of the plate to create the dramatic chiaroscuro effect.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (Circa 1970–1990)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; Landscape format.
Subject Description
The scene depicts Lord Shiva in a meditative seated posture (Virasana or Padmasana) with Parvati behind him, covering his eyes. A powerful beam of light emanates from Shiva's forehead, representing the opening of the Third Eye (Ajna Chakra). The composition utilizes a dark, atmospheric background to emphasize the divine energy and spiritual illumination.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; visible foxing and yellowing of the paper margins, likely due to acidic matting.
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 USD (subject to artist verification)
Auction Estimate
$500 - $900 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired from a gallery specializing in South Asian modern prints or at an estate sale. No visible gallery labels on the front, though a pencil inscription 'Dali III' or similar appears in the bottom left (likely a misleading later addition or cataloging mark).
Art Historical Significance
Represents the fusion of traditional Hindu mythology with Western etching techniques. It captures a pivotal moment in Shiva's lore using a contemporary graphic sensibility, common in post-independence Indian printmaking circles.
Notable Features
The dramatic use of light as a physical beam piercing the darkness; the contrast between the muscular anatomical rendering of Shiva and the ethereal, shaded figure of Parvati.
Condition Issues
Significant foxing (brown spots) in the margins, acid burn from the mat board, slight rippling of the paper, and potential light fading of the black ink.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional deacidification treatment, removal from current acidic matting, and re-framing using archival UV-protective glass and acid-free museum-grade mount.