The Eyes Have It: Raja Ravi Varma's Watchful Portraits

Get close to the Indian master's portraits and see them look right back

By Google Arts & Culture

Raja Ravi Varma (2018-03-10) by Rukmini VarmaRaja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

The eyes of the Mona Lisa are world famous, but their haunting quality and trick of 'following you around the room' are matched by the portraits of the Indian master, Raja Ravi Varma.

Ravi Varma is cherished for his advancement of Indian painting, his regal portraiture, and his storytelling works detailing myth and scripture. Living from 1848 until 1906, he's often called India's greatest ever painter.

This portrait of Ravi Varma was done by his great great granddaughter, Rukmini. You can see his influence in the calm and piercing gaze. Scroll on to lock eyes with some of Ravi Varma's most potent portraits...

Portrait of a Lady (Late 19th Century) by Raja Ravi VarmaNational Gallery of Modern Art

Portrait of a Lady (19th Century)

Yuvaraj Kanterava Narasimharaja Wadiyar In A Hunting Dress (1902) by Raja Ravi VarmaOriginal Source: Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery Trust, Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore

Yuvraj Kanterava Narasimharaja Wadiyar

Maharani Lakshmi Bayi (1883) by Raja Ravi VarmaOriginal Source: Collection of Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram

Maharani Lakshmi Bai (1890)

The Maharani of Travancore (1887) by Raja Ravi VarmaRoyal Collection Trust, UK

Maharani of Travancore (19th Century)

Woman Holding a Fruit (Late 19th century) by Raja Ravi VarmaNational Gallery of Modern Art

Woman Holding a Fruit (19th Century)

Her Highness Janaki Subamma Bai Sahib of Pudukkottai (1879) by Raja Ravi VarmaOriginal Source: Private Collection

Her Highness Janaki Subamma Bai Sahib (19th Century)

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19th century Indian Painter
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