The Maharaja of Travancore welcoming the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
Raja Ravi Varma1881
The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation
Bengaluru, India
This impressive painting by Raja Ravi Varma captures the reception accorded to the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos by the Maharaja of Travancore, His Highness Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma. Maharaja Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma succeeded his elder brother, Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal Rama Varma. Painted in January 1881, little did Ravi Varma know that after this painting, the artist would be considered persona non-grata by the Maharaja. The rejection by the Maharaja propelled Ravi Varma outside the Travancore Kingdom eventually making him an Indian artist instead of a 'Court artist' who's fortune and reputation would be as uneasy as the head which wears a crown.
- Title: The Maharaja of Travancore welcoming the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
- Creator: Raja Ravi Varma
- Date Created: 1881
- Location: India
- Physical Dimensions: 106 x 170 cms
- Type: Painting
- Original Source: Saffronart, Mumbai
- Rights: Curatorial Rights: The Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation, Bengaluru.
- Medium: Oil on Canvas
- Creator's Lifetime: 1848-04-29/1906-10-02
- Creator's Biography: Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) was a prolific Indian artist who is recognized for his resorting to the academic realistic style of painting. His portraits of English and Indian royalty and aristocracy were well received. His paintings on Hindu religious and mythological subjects and paintings from classical and literary sources were highly sought after even during his lifetime. He painted several copies of his works and this demand led to the suggestion to have his paintings printed in the form of oleographs. The Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press was established in Bombay (now Mumbai) and commenced operations in 1894. Many of Ravi Varma's paintings were printed as chromolithographs at this Press. These chromolithographs would have a tremendous impact on religion, society and aesthetics. They went on to democratize art leading to immortalize Ravi Varma in the minds of the people of the Indian subcontinent.
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