Description: 

 

This is a late 1800s chromolithograph depicting The Birth of Shakuntala, based on a painting by Raja Ravi Varma one of India’s most celebrated artists, known for bringing mythological subjects from the Mahabharata and Ramayana into refined visual form.

This print is particularly significant as it belongs to the early phase of the Ravi Varma Fine Arts Lithographic Press (F.A.L. Press), established in 1894. The Birth of Shakuntala (then spelled “Sakoontala”) is known to be among the very first prints released when the press began operations in Bombay, in July 1894. A couple of months later, in September 1894, prints of the goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati followed—making this image part of that very beginning.

It is important to note that the original press details at the bottom have been trimmed by a previous owner, likely without awareness of their value. This serves as a reminder of how such prints once lived as everyday devotional and decorative objects, rather than as artefacts of historical importance.

The large format of this print (36” × 24”) suggests an early production, likely from a time before sizes became standardised. In the initial stages, prints were produced in varied formats.  Over time, the press evolved into a more advanced industrial setup, capable of producing large volumes of prints efficiently, often cited as reaching up to 800 impressions an hour. so the sizes of the prints became more standardised, reflecting a shift toward more organised production.

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Product Details:

SKUID: PLPRV0284

Product Name: Saraswati by Ravi Varma -Embellished

Artist: Ravi Varma

Artist's Signature: Aavailable 

Dimensions:

31.3” x 23.3” x .75” (Frame)

Print: 20”x28” (Print)

Weight: 4.1 kgs

Press: Ravi Varma Press, Malavli, GPI

Publisher: An ant Shivaji Desai, Moti Bazar, Mumbai

Age: From  1920s and hence may have some signs of fading which adds to it's beauty. 

Frame: Frame would have an acrylic protection in place of glass to avoid the damage during the transit. 

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