Published at the Ravi Varma Press, Karla, Lonavla
chromolithograph with fabric appliqué
This oleograph portrays a scene from the Ramayana, occurring after Ravana has abducted Sita and is carrying her off to Lanka on his magical Pushpak Vimana (flying fortress). The demi-god vulture Jatayu notices the abduction and attempts to stop Ravana. As Ravana flies towards his kingdom, Jatayu swoops in, attacking him with his claws and knocking off his crown. However, in the ensuing conflict, Ravana manages to sever one of Jatayu’s wings, putting an end to the fight. Sita, horrified by the sight of Jatayu being injured, covers her eyes in fright.
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)
