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.

 

Click here to read more about The Birth of Shakuntala, a story that journeys from a temple pillar carved a thousand years ago during the Chola period, to a royal painter’s canvas, and finally to a printed image that found its way into homes.

 

Click here to read more about this print and the FAL Press history!

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Product Details:

SKUID: PLPRV0288

Product Name: The birth of Shakuntala by Ravi Varma - Lithograph print

Artist: Ravi Varma

Artist's Signature: Aavailable 

Dimensions: 39” x 27” x .5” (Frame)

Print: 36”x24” (Print)

Weight: 5.5 kgs

Press: Ravi varma Press F.A.L. Press, Bombay (1894-96)

(The press details are trimmed by a previous owner)

Age: From  1890s 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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Please do check the dimensions before you buy.