Sarasvati c. 19th century

This painting presents Sarasvati, likely made in Bengal, India. Here, she is depicted seated on a lotus, a symbol of purity and enlightenment. Notice how she cradles a dog, an unusual attribute when compared with the traditional iconography. The lotus motif, prevalent throughout Asian art, echoes across millennia, from ancient Egyptian art to the Buddhist art of the Silk Road. The halo that surrounds Sarasvati’s head is reminiscent of the aureoles seen in Christian art, signaling divinity, connecting seemingly disparate cultural expressions of the divine. The dog cradled in her hands is a motif that appears across time. The inclusion of the dog reflects how symbols evolve, adapting to new cultural contexts. This imagery is a powerful force, engaging us on a subconscious level. As we gaze upon Sarasvati, may we reflect on the fluid nature of symbols, their ability to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.