5/4/2019
copyright J.Paul Getty TrustIntroduction to the AATrevised May 2019 For educational purposesWork RecordRecord Type [controlled]: itemClass [controlled]: Asianart *Work Type [link]: statue*Title: Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
*Creator Display: unknown Indian* Role [cont.]: artist[link]:unknown Indian*Creation Date: Chola period (880–1279), ca. 11th century[cont.]:Earliest:975Latest:1125*Subject display:Shiva as Lord of the Dance with a FlamingBody Halo [link to authorities]: ShivaNataraja*Current Location [link]:Metropolitan Museum of Art (NewYork, New York, USA)ID: 1987.80.1Creation Location [link]:Southern India*Measurements:height: height: 68.3 cm (26 7/8 inches );diameter: 56.5 cm (22 1/4 inches)[contr.Value: 63.3Unit: cmType: height*Materials and Techniques:copper alloy[link]:copperalloy Description:In his dance of ecstasy Shiva raised his left leg,and, in a gesture known as the "gaja hasta," pointed to his lifted leg to provide refuge for the troubled soul.Do not guess
Broad and accurate is better than specific but incorrect
e.g., “metal” is better than incorrectly labeling it “copper alloy” or “brass (alloy)” if you are unsure
Specificity and Exhaustivity
Patricia Harpring © 2019 J. Paul Getty Trust. For educational purposes. Do not reproduce.