id: 162510 accession number: 2003.152 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/2003.152 updated: 2023-08-23 23:58:10.608000 Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat album, c. 1890. Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat. Gum tempera, graphite, tin, and ink on paper; painting: 45.5 x 27.5 cm (17 15/16 x 10 13/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward 2003.152 title: Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat album title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: c. 1890 creation date earliest: 1875 creation date latest: 1905 current location: 242B Indian Painting creditline: Gift of William E. Ward in memory of his wife, Evelyn Svec Ward copyright: --- culture: Eastern India, Bengal, Kolkata, Kalighat technique: Gum tempera, graphite, tin, and ink on paper department: Indian and Southeast Asian Art collection: Indian Art type: Painting find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Painting: 45.5 x 27.5 cm (17 15/16 x 10 13/16 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS title: Indian Kalighat Paintings opening date: 2011-05-01T00:00:00 Indian Kalighat Paintings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (May 1-September 18, 2011). title: Imagining Rama's Journey (Indian Painting rotation) opening date: 2023-03-10T05:00:00 Imagining Rama's Journey (Indian Painting rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 10-September 17, 2023). --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE William E. Ward [1922–2004], Solon, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art date: ?–2003 footnotes: citations: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH date: 2003– footnotes: citations: --- fun fact: Rama wields the divine bow of Vishnu, which is why he is shown with an arrow in his right hand. digital 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. wall 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.


[older label:]
Rama is shown enthroned next to his wife, Sita. Rama’s brother Lakshmana holds an umbrella above the couple while Hanuman, archetypal devotee of Rama, sits with hands clasped together at their feet. Both Rama and Lakshmana sport Prince Albert hairstyles, thus integrating prevailing Bengali style with traditional images. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2003.152/2003.152_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2003.152/2003.152_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/2003.152/2003.152_full.tif