Statue of Nandi, Mysore - 1806

Water-colour of the statue of Nandi at Mysore, dated 1806. Inscribed on front in ink: 'View of the Great Bull or Baswana cut out of Granite on the Hill of Mysore with a Sketch of the country below. 18 feet high. 1806. W.R.' (R.William)

This drawing depicts the colossal sculpture of Nandi situated along the road that ascends the Chamundi Hill overlooking Mysore. The statue of Nandi, the bull sacred to Shiva, was carved out of a single boulder in 1659. Nandi is here represented seated and decorated with garlands and ceremonial bells.

Source : British Library