Rama, Sita and Lakshmana
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1890
paint
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana is a 1890 paint by Unknown, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows three standing figures side by side. The person on the left has blue skin and wears a yellow-and-red striped outfit with a sword. The middle figure is draped in a red sari with gold dots, holding a fan, and wears a tall crown. The person on the right has dark skin, a purple-and-yellow outfit, and also carries a sword. The figures look flat and bold, with bright colors and simple shapes. Their faces are calm, but their poses suggest readiness. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how light and shadow create depth.
This 1890 watercolour and tin alloy painting on paper depicts the Hindu epic scene of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana entering the forest during their exile, rendered in the distinctive style of Kalighat painting. Characterized by bold colors, simplified forms, and rapid brushwork, the work reflects the Kalighat tradition that emerged in 19th-century Calcutta amid the city’s role as the capital of British India. The composition captures a pivotal moment from the Ramayana, illustrating the trio’s departure into the wilderness. The use of tin alloy in the medium highlights the adaptation of local…
Read the full account in the museum source.
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