Watercolour painting on paper of Matsya, the fish incarnation of Viṣṇu. The painting shows an ocean on which floats a boat carrying Manu and the Veda’s. Manu sits on an antelope skin and is accompanied by a group of rishi’s. The boat is tied to a large golden fish, Matsya, by a large black snake. The fish is upright in the water and out of its mouth emerges a four armed Viṣṇu. Viṣṇu is shown with blue skin and holding the discus, conch, lotus and a mace. In front of Matsya is an asura who stole the Veda’s and took them deep into the ocean. The asura holds a broken sword symbolising his defeat by Matsya. The painting is surrounded by a black border.

© Trustees of the British Museum