Indian 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.

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1848–1906 · Indian painter

By mass-printing his mythological paintings, Ravi Varma brought fine art and the Hindu pantheon into ordinary Indian homes.

Creator story

Surprising fact

Ravi Varma set up his own printing press so cheap colour lithographs of gods like Lakshmi could reach households across India.

Source: Wikipedia / Wikimedia

The pioneer of modern Indian painting.
Fused European academic style with Hindu mythology.
Mass-printed images that shaped India's vision of its gods.

Portrait: Raja Ravi Varma — Portrait: Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia.

Key works

A key work by Raja Ravi Varma

These works make it easiest to see how the artist changed form, content, and the very way art could exist in culture.

1870

Shakuntala

Shakuntala is one of Raja Ravi Varma's defining works.