Elokeshi and Madhavchandra Giri (the Mahant)
1880
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1880
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Elokeshi and Madhavchandra Giri (the Mahant) is a 1880 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, depicting Kalighat, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows two people sitting side by side. The person on the left is dressed in a bright red and yellow outfit with a dark shawl draped over their shoulders. They’re holding a mirror while looking at the other person. The person on the right is shirtless, wearing a light-colored wrap and a green cloth over one shoulder. Both have bold outlines and flat colors, with simple backgrounds. The mirror the woman holds is small and round, reflecting nothing but light. Their faces are stylized with strong lines and exaggerated features, giving them a flat, almost cartoon-like look. This style comes from the kalighat tradition, which you can explore next.
This watercolour and tin alloy painting on paper depicts the Mahant fanning Elokeshi, who sits in a chair, while he stands behind her in a dhoti and shawl. The scene reflects the Tarakeshwar affair, a scandal involving an illicit relationship between Elokeshi, the wife of a clerk, and the priest of the Tarakeshwar Shiva temple. The artist may have used the oppressive heat as a metaphor for the growing tension between the two figures. The work is part of the Kalighat painting tradition, known for its vivid colours and rapid execution.
Read the full account in the museum source.
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