From the artist's life
Ravi Varma set up his own printing press so cheap colour lithographs of gods like Lakshmi could reach households across India.
Source: Wikipedia / WikimediaIndian painting
Raja Ravi Varma
Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) was the great pioneer of modern Indian painting, who fused European academic technique with Hindu mythology. His widely printed images shaped how millions of Indians picture their gods.
By mass-printing his mythological paintings, Ravi Varma brought fine art and the Hindu pantheon into ordinary Indian homes.
- The pioneer of modern Indian painting.
- Fused European academic style with Hindu mythology.
- Mass-printed images that shaped India's vision of its gods.
Key works
Where to start
Complete list of key works
Works with a dedicated ArtAtlas page are highlighted in gold.
- ShakuntalaOn ArtAtlas
- TilottamaListed for reference
- There Comes PapaListed for reference
- Nair lady Adorning Her HairListed for reference
- Galaxy of MusiciansListed for reference
- Reclining WomanListed for reference
1870
Shakuntala
The subject is from the Mahabharata and Kalidasa's play: Shakuntala only pretends to remove a thorn.