Title
Prints (set of 5) depicting Hindu Gods and Goddesses
Year/Period
20th century
Region
Kerala/Tamil Nadu, India
Dimension
Object size: Refer to parts.
Accession No.
2015-00174
These prints are of various Hindu gods and goddesses produced for household ornamentation and worship. Prints depicting mythological characters and stories were popularized by the artist Raja Ravi Varma and mass produced as oleographs. Ravi Varma popularized a naturalistic style of painting, deviating from the symbolic Indian imagery. They also created a pan-Indian imagery of the gods, one which exists to this day. This imagery was imitated by local craftsmen across the country and further augmented with sequins and embroidery, such as with these prints. In the 20th century, prints like this were in almost every home in the country in the form of calendar art or posters and are produced to date.
