Lot 348 DURGA SLAYS THE BUFFALO DEMON (MAHISHASURA MARDINI) PICCHVAI PAINTING NATURAL PIGMENTS ON CLOTH, 19TH CENTURY JODHPUR SCHOOL, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

102 by 87 cm.
Catalogue Note: This vibrant picchvai painting depicts the powerful goddess Durga in her fierce form as Mahishasura Mardini, triumphantly slaying the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Mounted on a roaring tiger, the ten-armed goddess wields a variety of divine weapons, each bestowed by different gods, symbolizing collective divine strength. The dramatic scene is set against a lush, hilly landscape with temples in the background, representing the divine realm.

Durga is shown piercing the demon, who has transformed into a half-human, half-buffalo form—a symbol of brute ignorance and evil. The surrounding figures, including warriors and celestial beings, underscore the magnitude of the battle. The composition, intricate detailing, and use of natural colors are characteristic of Rajasthani picchvai traditions, often created for devotional display in Vaishnava temples.