About this piece

Chola art is characterised by a skilful fusion of vibrant beauty with religious austerity. The dimensions, positions, and symbolic hand movements of the gods were precisely outlined in the religious manual that the sculptors used as a guide. Artists made sure that each sculpture was religiously "correct" and able to communicate profound spiritual themes. But the art was not rigid or robotic because of these guidelines. By closely examining the human figure to depict realistic expressions and fluid movement, Chola artists were the forerunners of realism. This iconic female figure, probably Pravati, is proof of this. By combining realism and "ideal perfection," they produced figures that were both sublime and human.