Description: 

           This is an oleograph print of Sri Bala Subrahmanya from Ravi Varma Press, Malavli, Maharashtra. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, printing presses Ravi Varma Press and K.R.S. Sreenivasaiah & Co. began producing mass devotional prints.

This painting of Sri Bala Subramanya captures the young warrior-god (Murugan) in all his divine charm. The details like the glowing halo, the floral garlands, the serene smile. This was more than art—back in the days it was darshan at home. Long before digital prints, our ancestors brought divinity into their homes through oleographs. These oleographs transformed homes into personal temples.

What is lithography and Oleography?

      The Greek word litho means ‘stone’ and graphein means ‘to write’ so Lithography can be defined as ‘stone printing’. The printing plate originally used were porous stones. The priting portion of the stone plate was treated to absorb ink and the nonprinting area was treated to repel ink. Depending on the number of colours present, an oleograph could take months to produce by very skilled workers.

The Oleography process is a variation of lithography, but instead of using a single stone or plate, multiple stones/ plates are used—each carrying a different color. Unlike regular lithographs, oleographs have multiple ink layers, giving them depth and richness. Oleographs often resemble oil paintings due to their glossy finish and thick ink application.

About the Ravi Varma Lithographic Press:

      It was with the assistance and encouragement of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III that Raja Ravi Varma set up the Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press( F.A.L. Press)  in 1894 in Girgaum, Bombay (now Girgaon, Mumbai) .

Later he moved the press from girgaum to the out skirts of bombay Ghatkopar due to the babounic plague in 1896 in bombay. Even after 2 years since the situation had deteriorated the press was moved from Ghatkopar to Malavli near Lonavla in 1898. Then due to a fire accident Malavli press was closed and moved to Karla near Lonavala in 1899 and finally sold in 1903 to his German technician Mr. Schleizer.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Product Details:

SKUID: PLPRV0272

Product Name: Sri Bala Subramanya - Oleograph print 

Dimensions: Frame Size : 22.5” x 16.6” x 1” ; Print Size: 20” x 14” (Print)

Weight: 2.4 kgs

Press:  Age: From 1880-1900s and hence may have some signs of fading which adds to it's beauty. 

Frame: Frame is made of Teak and would have an acrylic protection in place of glass. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shipping:

We ship all over India.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Return Policy:

No returns or Exchanges
Please do check the dimensions before you buy.