This vibrant Tanjore painting depicts Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and transformation, seated alongside his consort Parvati, the goddess of power and fertility. They are flanked by their sons, Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles, and Kartikeya, the warrior god of war. The family is seated on a golden throne, with Shiva's vahana (vehicle), Nandi the bull, and Parvati's vahana, the peacock, resting at their feet. The painting is richly embellished with gold foil and semi-precious stones, typical of the Tanjore style.