#papreekaloves ~ artists and their studies. I was inspired by the amazing @richa.kashelkar’s recent musing - on how a piece of work takes shape and how sometimes it comes to a finish before the intended details make their way. I was gazing at the few religious oleographs of Ravi Varma I have hanging at our foyer and remembered his portrait studies. The portrait of ‘A Tamil Lady’ (second picture) is perhaps the more popular version. My favourite is the untitled first picture, a similar rendition in brighter tones. This one was part of Fritz Schleischer’s private collection which was inherited by his daughter and sold last in 1996 at a Sotheby’s lot. Who’s Fritz Schleischer? Ravi Varma’s German printer partner who set up the first oleography press in India for the Demi-god himself. Perhaps this rarer effort was a gift to his business partner, or perhaps a payment of sorts? One wonders. Ravi Varma’s women had a very familiar, soft, strong, radiant look - collectively beholding some mystery behind their beautiful exteriors. I enjoyed the third picture, a study from the maestro, perhaps an experimentation for achieving the perfect portrait face of an 1800s indian woman? Ah history. Ah culture. The unsaid stories one imagines.
xx @dhanya_balasubramanian
#rajaravivarma #ravivarmapaintings #ravivarma
