NEW ORLEANS, LA.- The Elegant Image: Hindu, Buddhist and Jain Bronzes from the Indian Subcontinent in the Siddharth K. Bhansali Collection, presented by the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) from August 5 through October 23, 2011, showcases 100 bronze sculptures of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain deities, underscoring the richness of the three major religions of ancient India. The exhibition, drawn primarily from the collection of Dr. Siddharth K. Bhansali, includes examples of the earliest known metal representations of a deity, among a number of other rare and noteworthy bronzes. The Elegant Image, curated by eminent Indian art historian Dr. Pratapaditya Pal, furthers NOMA’s exploration of Indian works as part of NOMA’s centennial celebration and focus on the museum’s extensive and diverse areas of collection. “Dr. Bhansali has not only contributed the majority of the works of art for this exhibition, but has also been a tireless ad