Hanuman and Ravana
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Hanuman and Ravana is a 1890 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a bright, bold scene with two figures. One is a red-skinned man with a crown, curled horns, and a yellow cape. He’s lifting a smaller, dark figure by the arm. The background has a blue, wavy line with tiny people and buildings, like a stylized sky or water. The red figure’s face is simple but expressive, with big eyes and a strong jaw. The colors are flat and bright, with no deep shadows—just clean lines and blocks of color. Look up kalighat to see more paintings like this.
A watercolour and tin-alloy painting on paper depicts Hanuman, the monkey deity, held captive before Ravana, the demon king, as part of the Ramayana narrative. Created around 1890, the work reflects the Kalighat style, characterized by vivid colours, simplified forms, and rapid brushwork. It belongs to a tradition of Bengali folk art that emerged in Calcutta during the 19th century, documenting local myths and societal tensions under colonial rule.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Your cart is empty
Explore artworks →
