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Yogambara and Jnanadakini
Made in Nepal
Malla Period (1200-1769), Late 15th - early 16th century
Artist/maker unknown, Nepal, Newar culture
Colors on cloth
Image: 21 1/4 x 17 1/2 inches (54 x 44.5 cm) Frame: 28 1/8 x 23 3/4 inches (71.4 x 60.3 cm)
Gift of Alice Boney, 1966

In the center of this painting blue-skinned Yogambara embraces his consort, Jnanadakini, astride a white lion. Their names indicate that he harnesses and encompasses her supernatural knowledge. Worship of this powerful couple is believed to reward devotees with great influence as well as material and spiritual wealth. The brightly patterned cloths around the divine couple's legs and on the front of their throne reflect this affluence, as do the eight golden pillars that separate the figures in the bottom register. The cloth patterns and pillar shapes are found in many Malla period paintings from the thirteenth through sixteenth centuries.

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all text & images © The Philadelphia Museum of Art

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