The irresistibly beautiful Lakshmi is seated on a blooming pink lotus. She is clad in a scarlet-coloured saree, densely embroidered with gold. With streams of emeralds and rubies about Her every curve - neck and hip and wrists - the wife of Vishnu is the most sumptuously dressed Devi of the Hindu pantheon, as depicted in this Thanjavur painting.
This is because She is the presiding deity over plenitude and resources, including wealth. A vessel heaped with gold lies at the base of Her throne. In Her posterior hands, the chaturbhujadharini wields golden lotuses; while the anterior hands are gathered in the mudras of blessing and fearlessness. She is flanked by a pair of gajas (elephants).
Note the sheer proportion of layered gold in this painting. It brings out the beauty of Her fair, straight-gazed face. In addition, each gessoworked section - the jewels on Her torso, the embroidery on Her saree, and the richly detailed crown as well as backdrop - has been distinguished and executed with the finest skill.
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