Lakshmi

Ravi Varma Press1890

Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation
Bengaluru, India

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity and fortune and is the consort of Vishnu, the Supreme Being in Vaishnavism. According to the scriptures, Lakshmi was born from the churning of the ocean and she chose Vishnu as her eternal consort. Lakshmi is considered the epitome of generosity and is shown typically either standing or seated on a lotus, which itself is considered a symbolism of fortune. Her four hands signify the four goals in Hindu life: dharma, kama, moksha and artha.

Details

Title: Lakshmi
Creator: Ravi Varma Press
Date Created: 1890
Physical Dimensions: 21 x 46 cm
Type: Reproduction
Original Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Rights: Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation, Bengaluru
Art Form: Print
Labels and Inscriptions: Ravi Varma Press, Malavli, Lonavala
Creator's Lifetime: 1848-04-29/1906-10-02
About the Artist: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906), India’s foremost artist, who took art to the masses, hailed from Kilimanoor, in the erstwhile state of Travancore. From a very young age, Ravi Varma, was drawn towards art, imbibing techniques from his uncle and mentor Raja Raja Varma and his mother, Umayamba Bayi, a poet in her own right. Varma was much sought after by the Royals and owing to his popularity and reputation, his spectacular and richly-textured works were prolific. His realistic portrayals of contemporary figures and interpretations of religious and mythological figures fetched him instant and enduring success, lifting his standing in the art world. If the Royals and his countrymen were in awe of this great talent, the international world was spellbound by his imagination and creativity. He ensured that art would be accessible to all, through reproductions of his paintings which were made available, and affordable to everyone.

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