Hindu Gods From European Presses

Nineteenth-century European prints of Hindu subjects represented a fascinating offshoot of the Indian business of religious printmaking that was evolving during that time, with results that were eccentric, and at times charming. 

Sudanva and Prabhavati (1935) by Badridass Jankidass PressRaja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

When Ravi Varma and his brother set up their lithographic press in the 1890s, they imported a high-quality German steam-operated press and also hired German technicians to operate the equipment.

Saving A Damsal In Distress (1935) by UnknownOriginal Source: Collection of Mark Baron and Elise Boisante

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.

Dattatreya (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Dattatreya

Dattatreya is a composite figure combining the three gods of the Hindu Trinity into a single-headed deity. Dattatreya carries the characteristic insignia of Vishnu (conch and discus), Shiva (trident) and Brahma (begging bowl and rosary). He is accompanied by four dogs, who represent the four Vedas, and a bull. This image was created in the Ravi Varma Press in Malavli, Lonavala.

Dattatreya (1880-01-01/1890-12-31) by UnknownOriginal Source: Collection of Mark Baron and Elise Boisante

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.

Guru Datatri (Dattatreya) (1880-01-01/1890-12-31) by Publisher Unknown, Printed in GermanyOriginal Source: Collection of Mark Baron and Elise Boisante

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.

Vanvasi Ram (1910) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Vanavasi Rama

A late lithograph made in the Ravi Varma Press, Karla-Lonavla, sometime between 1900 and 1910, this print shows the trio of Rama, Lakshman and Sita as they venture into the forest. The young princes now wear simple garments like forest dwellers, no jewellery of any kind, but carry a quiver of arrows and a bow. 

Rama, Sita, Lakshmana (1880-01-01/1890-12-31) by Publisher Unknown, Printed in EuropeOriginal Source: Collection of Mark Baron and Elise Boisante

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.

Krishna Leela (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Krishna Leela

A popular episode from the story of Lord Krishna's upbringing, this print was made in the Ravi Varma Press, Malavli, Lonavala. While the Gopis were bathing in the Yamuna river, Krishna came to the riverbank, took their clothes, and climbed into a nearby tree with them. When the Gopis returned from their bath, Krishna demanded that they stand naked before him.

Gopi Vastraharana (1880-01-01/1890-12-31) by UnknownOriginal Source: Collection of Mark Baron and Elise Boisante

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.

Muralidhara (1880) by Ravi Varma PressRaja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

Muralidhara

This image of a quiet and thoughtful cowherd Krishna, sitting on a rock in a schematic foothill setting, was most likely made soon after Ravi Varma's lifetime in one of the presses that continued to make works similar to his style.

Krishna Playing The Flute (1920) by Badridass Jankidass PressRaja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

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.

Ganapathi with Riddhi and Siddhi (1890) by Ravi Varma PressOriginal Source: From the Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation

Ganapati With Consorts

An intimate look at Ganesha on his throne with his two principal consorts, Riddhi and Siddhi, mirroring in design Ravi Varma's treatment of the theme. This chromolithographic print has been further embellished with fabric, silver thread and sequins and was made in the Ravi Varma Press, Malavli, possibly a little after the artist's time. 

Ganapati And The Eight Consorts (1920) by Mathradass PribhudilalRaja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

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!

Ram Mandal (1900-01-01/1910-12-31) by Ravi Varma Press, Karla, LonavlaRaja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation

Ram Mandal

This chromolithograph made in the Ravi Varma Press at Karla, Lonavala, was most likely created around late 1920. While the central subject is Krishna and not Ram, the print has been titled 'Ram Mandal'. Often printers and technicians made errors such as this, but once a batch of prints were made they were rarely scrapped, considering the high cost of production. Hence they sometimes came out with erroneous titles.

Krishna and Gopis (1880-01-01/1890-12-31) by Bhau, Bul & Co, LondonOriginal Source: Collection of Mark Baron and Elise Boisante

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!

Credits: Story

Reproductions: from the collection of Mark Baron and Elise Boisante from their book Gods in Print.

Information and research with permissions from Mark Baron, Elise Boisante, Vasudha Narayanan and Richard H. Davis.

Exhibit & References: from the collection of the Mark Baron and Elise Boisante from their book Gods in Print and Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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