RAJA RAVI VERMA (1848-1906)

UNTITLED
CHROMOLITHOGRAPH ON PAPER, MOUNTED, FRAMED AND GLAZED

A CHROMOLITHOGRAPH DEPICTING THE HINDU DEITIES KRISHNA AND RADHA. KRISHNA, WITH BLUE SKIN AND ADORNED WITH ELABORATE JEWELRY AND A PEACOCK FEATHER CROWN, STANDS PLAYING HIS FLUTE ON A LOTUS PAD. RADHA STANDS BESIDE HIM, SIMILARLY ORNAMENTED IN A RICHLY PATTERNED RED AND ORANGE SARI, HOLDING A LOTUS FLOWER. THE SCENE IS SET IN AN IDYLLIC LANDSCAPE BY A BODY OF WATER WITH SWANS AND DUCKS. THE PRINT BEARS THE INSCRIPTION 'THE RAVI VARMA PRESS PICTURE DEPOT' AND 'MURALIMANOHAR RADHESHYAM' RADHESHYAM) AT THE BOTTOM, INDICATING ITS ORIGIN FROM THE RENOWNED RAJA RAVI VARMA PRESS, KNOWN FOR POPULARIZING INDIAN MYTHOLOGICAL ART THROUGH MASS-PRODUCED PRINTS. THIS PRINT IS REGISTERED AS 'NO 246'.

Fair to poor. The chromolithograph exhibits significant paper loss and abrasion, particularly along the bottom edge and in the center-right. There is visible creasing, foxing, and dirt accumulation beneath the glass. Colors appear somewhat faded. The wooden frame shows wear, chipping, and scuffs consistent with age.