Artwork Page for Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat album

Details / Information for Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat album

Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat album

c. 1890

Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat

Medium
Gum tempera, graphite, tin, and ink on paper
Measurements
Painting: 45.5 x 27.5 cm (17 15/16 x 10 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.152
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Rama wields the divine bow of Vishnu, which is why he is shown with an arrow in his right hand.

Description

Rama and Sita sit enthroned under a royal parasol held by Rama’s brother Lakshmana. A diminutive Hanuman kneels before them in adoration. The stunning mix of vibrant color animates the otherwise static scene. The local Indian artists who created inexpensive paintings for visitors to the temple at Kalighat were accustomed to creating rapid watercolor paintings with collapsed perspectives and flat backgrounds. Since their workshops were near the British colonial capital of Calcutta (now Kolkata), they were aware of British fashions, such as the Prince Albert mustache.
A vertically oriented gum tempera painting depicts four figures with bold black outlines against a tan background. In the center, green-skinned Rama wears a yellow tunic and striped shawl beneath a red umbrella. To our left, Lakshmana stands in a dark blue robe. To our right, Sita sits in an orange sari wearing elaborate silver jewelry. In the lower center, a small, dark-skinned figure of Hanuman kneels before them.

Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat album

c. 1890

Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat

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