The Elephant's Eye: Artful Animals in South & Southeast Asia

March 5–July 6, 2014

Elephants take center stage in this delightful exhibition that focuses on the representation of animals in the art of India, Thailand, and Cambodia. Discover how animals evoke the power of kingdoms, embody the wisdom of saints, and inspire devotional desire.

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  • Vishnu and Garuda Saving the King of the Elephants (Gajendra Moksha), India, c. 1660–70; gouache on paper; 8½ × 6¼ in.; museum purchase

  • Upcoming
    Films
  • Upcoming
    Events
  • Selected
    Objects
  • Past
    Films
  • Past
    Events

Selected Exhibition Objects

  • Painting

    Temple banner: Scenes following the Buddha's Enlightenment

    Unknown (Thailand)

    late 19th -early 20th century
    colors on raw silk
    131 x 36 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Transfer from the UC Berkeley Dispersed Art Collection
    2006.47

  • Sculpture

    Figure of Vishnu Resting on the Serpent Shesha

    Khmer Unknown (Cambodia

    11th century
    Stone
    41 1/2 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; On long-term loan from a private collection
    EL.1.2012.8

  • Drawing

    Shailesh Story: Saelish on his way to be married accompanied by musicians

    Shanti Devi

    ink and color on paper
    21 15/16 x 29 15/16 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchase made possible though an anonymous gift
    1999.25.30

  • Drawing

    Shailesh Story [Pregnant elephant]

    Shanti Devi

    1979
    ink and color on paper
    22 x 29 15/16 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchase made possible though an anonymous gift
    1999.25.27

  • Drawing

    Life History H

    Gopal Saha

    ink and color on paper
    22 x 30 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchase made possible though an anonymous gift
    1999.25.7

  • Painting

    Padmavati

    Unknown (India)
    Unknown (India)

    17th century
    ink and gouache on paper
    10 13/16 x 5 5/8 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Gift of Jean and Francis Marshall
    1998.42.2.2

  • Painting

    Untitled, composite camel

    Unknown (India)

    18th century
    ink, gouache, and gold on paper
    9 7/8 x 7 1/2 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Gift of Jean and Francis Marshall
    1998.42.37

  • Drawing

    Shah Jahan striking a lion

    Unknown (India)
    Unknown (India)

    1680
    ink and color wash on paper
    9 x 8 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Gift of Jean and Francis Marshall
    1998.42.12

  • Drawing

    a: Elephant Fighting a Lion (recto); b: Raja (verso)

    Bundi School) Unknown (India

    19th century
    a: brush and ink on paper; b: brush, ink and color on paper
    5 11/16 x 8 5/8 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Museum Purchase
    1974.9.9.a-b

  • Drawing

    Krishna Adored and the Churning of the Sea of Milk

    Lalita Devi

    ink and color on cloth
    Image: 32 13/16 x 72 7/8 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Purchase made possible though an anonymous gift
    1999.25.20

  • Drawing

    Untitled, a study of a leopard

    Sivalal (Attributed to)

    1875-1890
    ink and color wash on paper
    7 x 10 1/4 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Gift of Jean and Francis Marshall
    1998.42.26

  • Painting

    Untitled, hunt scene

    Unknown (India)

    1720-1770
    ink and gouache on paper
    11 1/2 x 8 3/4 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Gift of Jean and Francis Marshall
    1998.42.24

  • Drawing

    Gauri ragini

    Unknown (India)

    1575-1600
    ink and gouache on paper
    4 1/2 x 10 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Gift of Jean and Francis Marshall
    1998.42.38.1

  • Painting

    The Goddess fights a demon./ The Goddess kills a demon.

    Unknown (India)

    17th century
    ink and gouache on paper/ ink and gouache on paper
    5 1/16 x 9 3/16 in.
    University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Gift of Jean and Francis Marshall
    1998.42.111.1.a-b