A goddess embodying the power of Shiva. This small sculpture from the Kashmir Valley depicts Parvati (also known as Uma), the daughter of the Himalayan Mountains and the consort of Shiva, one of Hinduism’s most important deities. She takes on many of Shiva’s defining features: holding his trident, bearing a third eye, and wearing his crescent moon and snakes. Her worship is especially important to women. At the base of the sculpture, a kneeling female figure—likely the patron who commissioned the work—appears in prayer, highlighting the central role women have long played in devotional life. As we reflect on International Women’s Day, we continue this year’s "Himalayan Art Up Close" series with Rubin Senior Curator Dr. Elena Pakhoutova and Smarthistory’s Dr. Steven Zucker, examining how divine power and female patronage intersect in Himalayan art. Created in collaboration with smarthistory_official. #HimalayanArt #HinduArt #ArtHistory _______ Kashmira; Kashmir, India; 10th centu...