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Raja Ravi Varma
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Raja Ravi Varma's art marks an historic turn in the development of Indian modern art
and Indian artists, at the beginning of the movement for Indian Independence. Ravi
Varma's works, which incorporated the use of oil as a medium and a distinctly European
style of realism, influenced other artists and shaped a new perception of "Indian Art".
All this took place at a time in Indian history when a "modern and progressive India" was
the...
Read More
Raja Ravi Varma's art marks an historic turn in the development of Indian modern art
and Indian artists, at the beginning of the movement for Indian Independence. Ravi
Varma's works, which incorporated the use of oil as a medium and a distinctly European
style of realism, influenced other artists and shaped a new perception of "Indian Art".
All this took place at a time in Indian history when a "modern and progressive India" was
the call of the day.
Born in Kilimanoor, Kerala, in 1848 to a princely family, Ravi Varma was educated as a
court artist in Trivandrum. Through the 1860's he continued to study and work in
Travancore where other court painters such as Ramaswamy Naicker of the Tanjore
School first adopted oil as a medium.
In 1866, Ravi Varma was married to Maharani Lakshmibai's sister of the Travancore
royal family and was allowed to use the title, 'Koil Tampuran' since he was not a "full
Raja" which he has inscribed on some of his works. (source: Maharaja Fatesingh Museum
Trust, Dr. Ratan Parimoo)
Just a couple of years later, his influences came from an opportunity to observe European
portrait artist, Theodore Jensen, at work, which presumably prompted Ravi Varma to
develop his own style. This unique style incorporated a European naturalism and
realism, with distinctly Indian mythological themes. The distinguishing factor, however,
was Ravi Varma's depiction of mythological figures in a natural human style rather than
the traditional supernatural imagery used to convey gods, goddesses and their myths or
tales.
Ravi Varma's groundbreaking work lay not only in his style of art, but also in his
influence on other artists and collectors. Over the 1870s and 1880s, he was
commissioned for several portraits, participated in exhibitions and received several
awards. However, it was after Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad invited Ravi Varma to
Baroda and became his most significant patron, that Ravi Varma gained in eminence.
His work included portraits of members of royal Indian families, foreign dignitaries and
British colonial officials. Through this time, he was assisted by his brother, Raja Raja
Varma, who devoted his life to working with Ravi Varma. Raja Ravi Varma's work
documents historical relationships and events, largely through a straightforward
portraiture.
In 1892, Ravi Varma began his own press in Bombay, where he made color
reproductions of his own work and extended his reach. This did in fact allow him to
become one of the most prolific artists of his time.
Raja Ravi Varma has had many significant exhibitions, both in India and internationally.
However, his first was in Madras, where he submitted "Nair woman with Jasmine flower
in her hair" and won the Governor's Gold Medal. From there he went on to paint for
several of the royal families in India and for colonial and royal visitors from England.
Raja Ravi Varma died in Kilimanoor, his birthplace, on October 2, 1906.
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Born
April 29, 1848
Kilimanoor, Travancore, Kerala
Died
October 2, 1906
Education
1868 Learnt the Oil Painting Technique from European Painter, Theodre Jensen, and Alagiri Naidu, a court Painter of Swati Tiruna, Maharaja of Travancore
1862 Self taught and recieved first painting lessons from his uncle Raja Raja Varma
Exhibitions
Selected Posthumous Exhibitions
2011 'Ethos V: Indian Art...
Selected Posthumous Exhibitions
2011 'Ethos V: Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore
2011 ‘Manifestations VI', Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2003 ‘Manifestations', Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi and World Trade Centre, Mumbai
1993 Exhibition of Paintings, Drawings and Oleographs at Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Trivandrum; National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), National Museum, New Delhi
Selected Exhibitions
1903 Lalit Kala Sangam, Chennai
1899 Baroda Puranic Commission Exhibition, Baroda & Mumbai
1893 Worlds Colombian Exhibition, Chicago
1889 Inaugural Exhibition, Bombay Art Society, Mumbai
1880 Exhibition at Poona
1873-74,76 Fine Arts Society, Chennai
1873 Vienna Exhibition, Austria
Honours and Awards
1880 Gaekwad Gold Medal, Poona
1873,74,76 Governors Gold Medal, Fine Arts Society Exhibition, Chennai
1873 Vienna Exhibition
1880 Gaekwad Gold Medal, Poona
1873,74,76 Governors Gold Medal, Fine Arts Society Exhibition, Chennai
1873 Vienna Exhibition
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