Regarded as the Preserver of the Universe, Vishnu is one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon. He is known in twenty-four forms and here appears in the form of a giant called Trivikrama. The god is accompanied by various animals as well as four female deities in sinuous poses. In the center of the symmetrical and hierarchical composition, Vishnu holds four attributes in his four hands: a now broken club (gada) representing his power in his upper right hand; a lotus (padma) that alludes to rebirth in his lower right; a wheel (cakra) for enlightenment in his upper left; and a conch (sankha) representing life-giving water in his lower left.
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Attributed to Jan van Doetecum, active 1554–after 1600; born Deventer, Netherlands; died Haarlem, Netherlands after Pieter Bruegel the Elder, ca. 1525–1569; born Breda, Netherlands; died Brussels, Belgium Published by Hieronymus Cock, 1507–1570; born and died Antwerp, Belgium
Indian, Pala dynasty (10th–12th century), Stele of Vishnu and attendants, 10th–11th century. Black schist; 79 x 44.5 x 16 cm. Museum purchase, John Maclean Magie, Class of 1892, and Gertrude Magie Fund (y1961-47)
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https://artmuseum.princeton.edu/art/collections/objects/28869
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Indian, Pala dynasty (10th–12th century), Stele of Vishnu and attendants, 10th–11th century. Black schist; 79 x 44.5 x 16 cm. Museum purchase, John Maclean Magie, Class of 1892, and Gertrude Magie Fund (y1961-47)
