01 works PORTRAIT OF A LADY, Richard B. Godfrey's The Hindu goddess Kali, with Footnotes. #145

Richard B. Godfrey, (b. 1728)

The Hindu goddess Kali slays the demon Raktabija, c. (1770)

Etching

Private collection

Kali, also known as Kālikā or Shyāmā, is a Hindu goddess. Kali is one of the ten Mahavidyas, a list which combines Sakta and Buddhist goddesses.

Kali's earliest appearance is that of a destroyer of evil forces. She is the most powerful form of Shakti, and the goddess of one of the four subcategories of the Kulamārga, a category of tantric Saivism. Over time, Kali has been worshipped by devotional movements and tantric sects variously as the Divine Mother, Mother of the Universe, Adi Shakti, or Adi Parashakti. Shakta Hindu and Tantric sects additionally worship her as the ultimate reality or Brahman. She is also seen as the divine protector and the one who bestows moksha, or liberation. Kali is often portrayed standing or dancing on her consort, the Hindu god Shiva, who lies calm and prostrate beneath her. Kali is worshipped by Hindus throughout India. More on Kali

Richard B. Godfrey, (b. 1728), engraver, born in London in 1728, is principally known as an engraver of views and antiquities. Many of these were done from his own drawings, and, if of little artistic value, have considerable archæological interest. Most of them were executed for Grose's ‘Antiquarian Repertory’ in 1775, a work which Godfrey appears to have had some share in editing. Others appeared in Grose's ‘Antiquities of England and Wales.’ Godfrey also engraved some portraits, including J. G. Holman, the actor, after De Wilde; Samuel Foote, the actor, after Colson; and the Rev. William Gostling, author of  a ‘Walk about Canterbury’ in 1777. Godfrey exhibited some sea pieces, after Brooking, and other engravings at the Society of Artists from 1765 to 1770. He also engraved plates for Bell's ‘British Theatre.’ More on Richard B. Godfrey

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