LAXMI - A VINTAGE OLEOGRAPH

circa 1930s

One of the most well-known and widely recognized oleographs to be produced at Raja Ravi Varma's lithographic press, this image of Lakshmi is an important one, having played a significant role in establishing the popular perception of the goddess in India, and in shaping a 'national consciousness' that transcended regional and cultural borders. The impact of Tanjore paintings on Raja Ravi Verma had propelled him to understand the usage of the unique gold and coloured stones ornamentation within a composition. These techniques were then adapted for his oleographs. In succeeding decades, many oleographs depicting goddesses such as Laxmi were adorned in cloth, glitter, sequins and beads. These oleographs came to be valued greatly over time.
Artist: Raja Ravi Verma press
Medium: Dressed Oleograph on paper.

20 x 13.5 in (50.8 x 34.8 cm)