| Medium | : | Oleograph with embellishments |
|---|---|---|
| Height | : | 14 inch / 35.6 cm |
| Width | : | 10 inch / 25.4 cm |
| Surface | : | Paper |
| Style | : | Figurative Paintings |
| Dimension | : | W: 25.4 cm × H: 35.6 cm |
Raja Ravi Varma’s Mohini presents a graceful woman seated on a swing beneath a large tree, surrounded by a tranquil landscape of distant hills and foliage. Her flowing pink sari responds beautifully to the movement of the swing, creating a sense of lightness and animation. Warm earthy tones, delicate floral details and the richly embellished frame add to the work’s nostalgic and decorative appeal. The composition beautifully balances feminine grace, natural beauty and gentle movement, characteristic of the enduring charm of Ravi Varma’s imagery.
Raja Ravi Varma | Mohini | Oleograph with embellishments | 14 x 10 inches | Circa
Raja Ravi Varma’s Mohini is a graceful oleograph with embellishments that captures a moment of effortless movement and feminine elegance. The figure is seated on a swing suspended from a large tree, her arms raised as she holds the ropes while the swing appears to move gently through the landscape. Her flowing pink-red sari spreads outward with the motion, creating a beautiful sense of rhythm and movement across the composition.
The surrounding landscape is equally important to the charm of the image. Tall trees frame the scene, while distant hills and a softly glowing sky create a peaceful, almost idyllic atmosphere. The warm greens, ochres and pinks give the work a nostalgic quality, while the elaborate floral embellishments on the sari add richness to the surface. The figure’s composed expression contrasts with the movement of her clothing, giving the scene both serenity and liveliness.
What makes the work particularly appealing is the way Ravi Varma combines the naturalistic depiction of the female figure with a romantic landscape setting. The ornate metal-toned frame further enhances its decorative character, making the piece feel like a cherished historical image intended to be both admired and preserved. As an oleograph, it also reflects the important history of Ravi Varma’s imagery being reproduced and circulated to a wider Indian audience.
Born : 29-04-1848, Died : 02-10-1906
Raja Ravi Varma was born into an aristocratic family in Kerala. Raja Ravi Varma was largely a self taught artist as European techniques go. But there is no denying that Raja Ravi Varma was a master at handling the oil medium and achieved a magical ease with European naturalism. While Raja Ravi Varma stood at the transitional stage between Indian painting tradition and the emergence of Salon artist well versed in European academic naturalism he reconciled the aesthetic principles of both in his style. He represented the Hindu mythological stories so loved by the Indian imagination, with an illusionistic flair that mirrored the society of his time.
According to art historians, Raja Ravi Varma’s dramatic history paintings influenced the pioneers of Indian cinema like Dadasaheb Phadke and Baburao Painter. Raja Ravi Varma excelled as a portrait painter as well as a painter of various other genres like history painting, painting of female figures and so on. He travelled through length and breadth of India seeking portrait and other commissions. He established a press with German technology so that inexpensive oleographs could be made to cater to a mass demand. So briskly did the prints sell that they left a deep impression on popular visual culture even to this day.His realistic portrayals and interpretations of religious and mythological figures captivated and fascinated the country. Ravi Varma’s works transcended painting; he was also a poet, scholar and a visionary far beyond his times.The country will always remember one of the greatest painters and artists of late 19th Century India who brought about a momentous change in the art of India.
If you’d prefer the artwork to arrive ready to hang, please get in touch with us to arrange framing and shipping at applicable charges.
Please note: Customs duties and import taxes may apply at your destination in accordance with your country’s regulations. Refer to our International Shipment document for guidance and support.
| Medium | |
|---|---|
| Height | |
| Width | |
| Surface | |
| Style |
