Published at the Ravi Varma Press, Malavli, Lonavla
chromolithograph with fabric appliqué
Subrahmanyam (also known as Kartikeya, Murugan or Skanda) stands next to his conveyance, a majestic peacock with its spotted train of feathers on full display. Subrahmanyam, naked but for his sumptuous jewellery stands with one arm raised in Abaya mudra (fear not gesture) while the other is firmly planted on his hip. A golden cobra rests behind his feet. Subhramanyam is generally thought of as the son of Shiva and Parvati.
Oleographs, also called chromolithographs, are multi-colour art prints, stemming from the process of lithography. These immensely popular oleographs from the Ravi Varma press quickly set a new iconographical standard for the traditional Indian heroes and deities. Often the figures were embellished with embroidered sequins and other decorative material, creating vibrant pulsating images. After Ravi Varma was forced to sell the press along with the reproduction rights in 1901, the press began producing work by other contemporaries of Ravi Varma including C.G. Ramanujam, producing equally vibrant work with new themes and subjects. The influence of the oleographs from this press is still felt strongly in modern Indian popular art forms such as calendar art.
Image Size (cms): 49.5 (H) x 34.5 (W)
Image Size (inches): 19.5 (H) x 13.6 (W)
Framed Size (cms): 62 (H) x 48.5 (W)
Framed Size (inches): 24.5 (H) x 19 (W)
