Watercolour painting on paper of Matsya, the fish incarnation of Viṣṇu. The painting shows Matsya as a giant golden fish pulling a boat on which are Manu and other religious teachers. In the foreground of the painting is an Asura emerging from a large conch shell, armed with a sword and shield. The painting references the story that Viṣṇu as Matsya helped Manu to rescue the Veda’s after they were stolen by an Asura and taken into the depths of the ocean. The painting is surrounded by a black border.

19th century
Patna

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