Consider the 10th-century C.E. bronze statue Shiva Nataraja. Discuss the importance of understanding the beliefs of the culture in which this work was created in order to develop an understanding of the meaning or message of the work. What cultural or religious function was the artist performing in creating this work?

What will be an ideal response?

Students should note in their responses that one of the functions of art is to give tangible form to the unknown, an important component in depicting religious or spiritual art forms.