Hindu Gods From European Presses

In the early 20th century, Indian publishers like S.S. Brijbasi and Sons sent their painted images to European printers for reproduction, then reimported the prints for sale in India.

"Printed in Germany" and "Printed in Europe" were considered a mark of quality. These presses employed anonymous European artists to develop new designs, probably modelling them on Indian prints.

The resulting designs were an interesting hybrid. While the primary image iconography was respected, the figures and faces were awkward, while landscapes juxtaposed European and Indian elements.

The iconography of Dattatreya follows standard Indian guidelines.

The landscape in this European print includes elements like cypress trees and a medieval fortress.

Big roses can be seen at the bottom of the print, while the size of the bull and the dogs is disproportionate in comparison to the figure of Dattatreya.

Heavily muscled and built much like Goliath, rather than a God, this European print of Dattatreya is unlike any that were made in the Ravi Varma Presses.

This version of Dattatreya is markedly different from many others, what with the central figure being blue.

Only three of the four dogs are visible here. This image was printed in Germany sometime around 1898 or 1900.

Printed in Europe in the early 1900s from an unknown publisher, the simplified treatment of this attractive theme by a European artist gives it an appealing sweetness.

The facial features, hair style and details of jewellery vary much from the lithograph created in the Ravi Varma Press, Karla-Lonavla.

The overall composition of the image is more static than the original print that was created in India.

Titled 'Gopi Vastraharana', here Krishna plays his flute in a tree that grows directly in the river, and the Gopis form a line in the water.

This is a modest treatment of a theme with obvious erotic possibilities.

The Italian artist has added an unusually busy background of ghats, Shiva shrine, cows at pasture, a bridge and a medieval Italian town.

Notice how the Italian artist has not been able to capture the mischievous laughter on Krishna's face.

This print of 'Muralidhara' was published by Badridass Jankidass of New Delhi. Prints such as this were made in Germany and imported back into India for sale at much higher prices.

While the proportions of the central figure of Krishna, and the background landscape, is pretty similar to the print made in India, it is the facial features that are starkly different.

This print of 'Ganesha and his Eight Consorts' was published by Mathradass Pribhudilal of New Delhi, but printed in Germany.

Notice the unusual features of Ganesha and the rather stern expressions of his eight consorts.

At the bottom of the image are a duo of mice - most Indian prints of Ganesha depict only one mount, Mooshika. Here the mice are seen nibbling on bunches of grapes!

This lively and unusual design is from British publisher Bhau, Bul & Co.

Some English chromolithographs tried to make exact copies of prints that were made at different presses in India, and even sent large consignments for sale at one tenth the usual price.

Resplendent with detail of a palace like structure and tall trees that resemble the cypress seen in Europe, this print was published in London, printed in Germany and sold in India!