Rama and Sita
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Rama and Sita is a 1890 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows two figures sitting side by side. The person on the left has a blue body and is touching the hand of the person on the right, who wears a red-and-yellow outfit with a black headdress. Behind them stands a tall, black pillar with a curved top, and a few red marks lie on the ground. The figures look like they’re in a moment of quiet connection, with bold colors and simple shapes. The writing at the bottom is in a script that looks different from English. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more works like this.
This watercolour and tin-alloy painting on paper depicts the scene from the Ramayana in which Rama and Sita worship a lingam shrine at Cape Comorin, now known as Kanyakumari, to ensure safe passage. Created around 1890, the work reflects the Kalighat painting tradition that emerged in Calcutta during the 19th century, characterized by bold colours, simplified forms, and quick brushwork. The painting belongs to a broader artistic movement that incorporated local mythology and cultural themes amid the social and political changes of British colonial rule.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Your cart is empty
Explore artworks →
