Standing Vishnu as Keshava 1100 - 1125

This basalt sculpture of Standing Vishnu as Keshava was created by Dasoja of Balligrama and is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The figure is powerfully symmetrical, characterized by verticality and an imposing frontal pose. The god stands rigidly, flanked by smaller figures, all framed within an arch-like structure teeming with ornate carvings. The sculpture employs a deliberate compositional strategy: Dasoja balances the detailed ornamentation against the smooth, polished surfaces of Vishnu's body. The rigid posture conveys divine stability, while the complex backdrop suggests the rich, layered nature of the cosmos. The texture is also striking. Notice how the rough-hewn stone of the frame contrasts with the refined finish of the deity. In essence, this piece invites us to consider how material form embodies spiritual concepts. It challenges us to reflect on the interplay between permanence and change, simplicity and complexity, in our understanding of the divine.