Shiva Carries the Corpse of Sati

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In this painting, the god Shiva carries on his shoulders the corpse of his wife, Sati, who has committed suicide by fire. Pilgrims and devotees would have purchased such paintings as this one from craftsmen who worked around Calcutta's Kalighat temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali.

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