The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 13, 2025

Rama and Sita enthroned (recto), from a Kalighat album

c. 1890

Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat

Gum tempera, graphite, and ink on paper
Painting: 31 x 25.6 cm (12 3/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.134.a
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Hanuman, Rama’s monkey devotee, prostrates himself before Rama as a sign of his humility.

Description

Rama has been crowned king upon his return to Ayodhya at the end of a 14-year exile, having rescued his wife Sita from imprisonment on the island of Lanka. King Rama still holds his signature emblems of bow and arrow. His brother Lakshmana, here shown as green like Rama, holds the insignia of royalty, a flywhisk. Another brother holds the royal parasol. Hanuman, Rama’s semidivine monkey general, prostrates himself before the couple.

Devotees who travel to the Hindu temple at Kalighat could purchase a painting of this type to commemorate their visit and to adorn a domestic altar.
  • ?–2003
    William E. Ward [1922–2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    2003–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Imagining Rama’s Journey. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 10-September 17, 2023).
    Indian Kalighat Paintings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (May 1-September 18, 2011).
  • {{cite web|title=Rama and Sita enthroned (recto), from a Kalighat album|url=false|author=|year=c. 1890|access-date=13 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2003.134.a