Artwork
Kamala Kamini and Ganesha
Kamala Kamini and Ganesha is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This watercolor on paper, dated 1890, portrays a woman identified as Kamala Kamini cradling the infant deity Ganesha.
About this work
Overview
This watercolor on paper, dated 1890, portrays a woman identified as Kamala Kamini cradling the infant deity Ganesha. The composition is set against a neutral beige backdrop, framed by stylized green stems bearing red blossoms. The figures are encircled by a vibrant halo of yellow and red, lending the scene a dynamic visual rhythm.
Subject & Meaning
Kamala Kamini, rendered in a green sari edged with yellow, holds the small elephant‑headed Ganesha, who wears a yellow cap and clutches a red object. The intimate interaction reflects devotional themes common in Hindu iconography, emphasizing maternal care and the protective qualities of the elephant‑headed god.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the work employs bold outlines and saturated hues—prominent greens, reds, yellows, and beige—that echo the aesthetic of 19th‑century Indian popular painting, particularly the Kalighat school. The flat decorative elements, such as the floral stems, and the luminous halo contribute to a sense of movement and energetic composition.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the museum’s collection through a donation by Ernest H. Hindley of Lightcliffe, Shepherd’s Hill, Highgate, North. Its acquisition details are recorded in the Asia Department registers and Central Inventory, documented during a 2023 provenance research project.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
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Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
