This stylized image of Lord Jagannath is decorated with an elaborate head gear and heavy ornaments. The image has a vertical tilak on the forehead and a circular dot on the chin. A floral garland is placed around the neck, and it has lotus buds and flowers in one hand and some are spread on the ground beneath. The central figure is set out in the deity's most characteristic attitude which is rich in symbolism. Surrounding the image may be other aspects of himself or votaries or consorts. Here, beneath the pedestal is a bolster on which rests the face of the similar god with a similar crest.
The composition is characteristically static and consists of one main figure, the deity, centrally placed. He is formally housed within an enclosure of a temple pavilion. The border has cows on either side and peacocks above, all embossed in gold. The space is actually compressed by the heavy encrusting and enclosing ornaments.
One look at these magnificent paintings and one knows how much hard work goes into achieving the result. On a prepared surface, the drawing is executed with a brush indicating where the stones or gems are to be set. In a collage of this kind, gold paper is used. It is cut into strips which are pasted on the raised surface with very stiff glue. The paper is thin and soft enough to allow the embossing to show on the surface. The gold portions are finished first and the painted areas filled in afterwards. The gilded effects do give a certain theatricality to the scene.
This description by Renu Rana.
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