Raja Ravi Varma

This portrait of Raja Ravi Varma, painted by his great, great grand-daughter Rukmini Varma, herself an accomplished artist and author, is a tribute to the great artist. Growing up to tales of Ravi Varma, listening to her grandmother, Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, the artist's granddaughter and the last Maharani of Travancore, inspired Rukmini Varma to take up the brush and follow in his footsteps. Born Princess Bharani Thirunal Rukmini Bayi Thampuran of Travancore state, Rukmini painted this portrait when she published her book Hidden Truth, which reveals intricate details of her great, great grandfather.