Year 1895

About the Artwork

Raja Ravi Varma, an artist who significantly influenced Indian art, painted Lady Making a Garland in 1895, celebrating the cultural heritage of his homeland. The Nair woman is depicted with grace and poise, representing the daily lives and artistic traditions of women in Kerala. Varma's expertise in merging traditional Indian subjects with European painting techniques brought a contemporary yet respectful portrayal of Indian culture to the viewers. This work exemplifies Varma's dedication to highlighting the beauty and significance of Indian life, often showcasing women in various cultural roles, making them both subjects of admiration and cultural icons.

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Did You Know

The Nair community, represented in this painting, is known for its matrilineal structure in traditional Kerala society, where inheritance and family ties are traced through the female line. This cultural aspect is beautifully symbolized in Varma’s art.
Raja Ravi Varma is celebrated for modernizing Indian art and elevating it to national importance. He was one of the first artists to use lithography to create prints of his work, which made art accessible to a broader audience.
Varma’s depictions of women have had a lasting influence on Indian cinema, particularly in the portrayal of heroines, shaping their representation in films by often incorporating traditional elements seen in his paintings.

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