| Medium | : | Oleograph with embellishments |
|---|---|---|
| Height | : | 19 inch / 48.3 cm |
| Width | : | 13.5 inch / 34.3 cm |
| Surface | : | Paper |
| Style | : | Mythological Paintings |
| Dimension | : | W: 34.3 cm × H: 48.3 cm |
Raja Ravi Varma’s Lakshmi presents the goddess of prosperity standing gracefully upon a lotus, surrounded by a serene landscape of water, flowers, trees and elephants. Her four-armed form, lotus blossoms and gentle gestures create a strong sense of auspiciousness and abundance. The richly coloured pink sari, decorative details and softly painted natural setting give the image warmth and visual richness. As an oleograph, the work also carries the historical significance of Ravi Varma’s widely circulated devotional imagery, which helped bring classical Indian mythological subjects into homes across India.
Raja Ravi Varma | Laxmi | Oleograph with embellishments | 19 x 13.5 inches | Circa
Raja Ravi Varma’s Laxmi is a richly coloured oleograph portraying the Hindu goddess of prosperity, abundance and auspiciousness. Lakshmi stands gracefully upon a large lotus, her four arms extended in a serene and welcoming gesture. She holds lotus blossoms in her upper hands, while the lower hands convey the familiar symbolism of blessing and generosity. Her pink sari, embellished with floral details and edged in black and silver, gives the figure a striking presence against the softly rendered landscape.
The surrounding setting adds to the devotional character of the image. A tranquil waterbody with floating lotuses and swans occupies the foreground, while a pair of elephants appears in the distance, reinforcing Lakshmi’s traditional association with prosperity and abundance. The lush trees and warm, atmospheric background create a peaceful natural setting around the central deity. The decorative embellishments and richly printed surface further enhance the visual appeal of the work, giving it the quality of a cherished devotional image as well as a piece of Indian print history.
Ravi Varma’s ability to present mythological figures with a recognisably human grace is particularly evident here. Lakshmi appears dignified yet approachable, with a calm expression and balanced posture. As an oleograph, the work also reflects the important role played by Ravi Varma’s printing enterprise in making his celebrated mythological imagery accessible to a much 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.
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