Ganga on a Crocodile c. 19th century

Editor: We're looking at "Ganga on a Crocodile," a 19th-century watercolor from, well, an anonymous artist, housed here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. What strikes me immediately is the unexpected tenderness in this depiction – even the crocodile seems gentle! What do you see in this piece? Curator: Tenderness, yes, I feel that too. It's an interesting take on Ganga, who’s a powerful goddess. Notice how she sits enthroned, almost weightlessly, on the makara—the crocodile-like creature, not *quite* a croc—it's a composite being, actually, a mythical beast! Look at its elephant trunk-like snout! Do you notice the figures accompanying her? Editor: There's a male figure standing on the bank, looking at her, and there's a makara head down at the bottom, emerging from the water. Curator: Exactly! They both seem to honor her divinity. She’s not just a river deity; she is sustenance, fertility and purity. Consider the medium: watercolor is so fluid and light, which is also echoed by the many hands. The artist's choice definitely enhances the gentle aspects. But doesn't this scene invite some imaginative narratives to swim up in your mind? I could stare at this all day! Editor: Absolutely! That contrast between the gentleness and Ganga's power is fascinating. I wouldn't have noticed those details without your guidance, thank you! Curator: My pleasure! I find myself contemplating, what other stories is Ganga quietly whispering in those swirling blue brushstrokes, after all?