Axial Commons Image Treasury
Dark green bronze statue of the dancing god Shiva in a ring of flames, standing on one leg on a lotus base.

Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)

A dark green copper-alloy figure of the four-armed god Shiva dances on a lotus base within a flaming arch. His hair flies outward in long locks, and his raised leg and outstretched hands form a balanced, graceful pose. The patinated surface shows wear and verdigris.

Artist
Unknown
Date
ca. late 11th century
Medium
Copper alloy
Source
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Size
2792 × 3722 px
Download full size
Public domain · The Metropolitan Museum of Art releases this image under CC0 (latest date 1100).
Rights checked 2026-11-04 · tier A · as stated by the source: CC0 (The Met Open Access, isPublicDomain=true)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of R. H. Ellsworth Ltd., in honor of Susan Dillon, 1987

Español: Shiva como Señor de la Danza (Nataraja), bronce chola

Una figura de aleación de cobre de color verde oscuro muestra al dios Shiva de cuatro brazos bailando sobre una base de loto dentro de un arco de llamas. Su cabello se extiende hacia afuera en mechones largos, y su pierna levantada y manos extendidas forman una pose equilibrada y elegante.

Português: Shiva como Senhor da Dança (Nataraja), bronze chola

Uma figura de liga de cobre em verde escuro mostra o deus Shiva de quatro braços dançando sobre uma base de lótus dentro de um arco de chamas. Seus cabelos se espalham em mechas longas, e a perna erguida e as mãos estendidas formam uma pose equilibrada e graciosa.

More from Gods and Epics of India

Red sandstone sculpture of a standing Buddha with curled hair, incised robe folds, and right hand raised in a protective gesture, on a dark base.Standing Buddha Offering ProtectionDark granite sculpture of a seated four-armed deity with tall crown and jewelry, resting on a lotus base against a gray background.Shiva as MaheshaGilt copper seated Buddha statue with blue topknot, touching the earth with right hand, on a dark stepped base against a gray background.Buddha Shakyamuni or Akshobhya, the Buddha of the EastTibetan thangka painting of a golden seated Buddha beneath a flowering tree, surrounded by crowds of figures and clouds in a dense, colorful composition.Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati)Hanging scroll of a gold Amida Buddha standing at center, surrounded by bodhisattvas on clouds against a dark background.Welcoming Descent of Amida and BodhisattvasHanging scroll of a gold Buddha seated centrally with eight standing bodhisattvas in two columns on a dark brown background, with gold halos and red and white robes.Buddha Amitabha (Amita) and the Eight Great Bodhisattvas