Vishnu on Garuda

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This plaque shows Vishnu carried by Garuda, whose talons clasp nagas (snakes) in a deadly grip. Vishnu's two consorts, Saraswati and Lakshmi, accompany him, effortlessly supported by Garuda's mighty outspread wings. The framing backplate is populated by ascetics and other devotees, who gesture reverently.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art