Bhima and King Virata
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Bhima and King Virata is a 1890 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a muscular man in a red and yellow outfit, holding a long stick. Behind him sits a large yellow pot with black stripes, balanced on a dark shape that looks like a sack or bag. The man’s face is serious, with a mustache and a small mark on his chest. His posture is strong, like he’s ready to act. The bright colors and bold outlines give it a simple, direct look. This style fits the Realism movement, where artists focus on everyday scenes without extra detail. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.
The artwork depicts Bhima from the Ramayana serving King Virata as a cook, rendered in watercolour and tin alloy on paper. Produced around 1890, it reflects the Kalighat painting tradition of 19th-century Bengal, characterized by bold colours, simplified forms, and quick brushwork. The scene captures a moment from local mythology within the broader context of colonial Calcutta, a period when artists adapted traditional styles to address themes of history and cultural identity.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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