Published at the Ravi Varma Press, Karla, 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.
Ravi Varma occupies an important place in Indian art history. He developed a painting style that appropriated the illusionary techniques of European oil painting with traditional Indian subject matter. The popularity of Ravi Varma’s paintings gave him the idea to make oleographs that would be available to the general public, instead of only elite patrons. Oleographs, also called chromolithographs, are multi-colour art prints, stemming from the process of lithography.
These immensely popular chromolithographs 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.
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)
