Who painted Lakshmana and Indrajit?

Lakshmana and Indrajit was painted by Unknown in 1885.

Where can I see Lakshmana and Indrajit?

Lakshmana and Indrajit is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Lakshmana and Indrajit?

Lakshmana and Indrajit is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Lakshmana and Indrajit

Unknown , 1885

Lakshmana and Indrajit is a paint painting by the Impressionist artist Unknown. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1885, this opaque watercolor on paper portrays a moment from the Ramayana in which Lakshmana strikes down Indrajit, the son of the demon king Ravana. The composition is rendered in vivid, flat hues against a muted blue‑gray backdrop, emphasizing the dramatic encounter between the two warriors.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the climactic battle between Lakshmana, the loyal brother of Rama, and Indrajit, a formidable opponent celebrated for his magical prowess. By illustrating Lakshmana’s victory, the work reflects themes of dharma and the triumph of righteousness over evil within the epic narrative.

Technique & Style

Executed in opaque watercolor, the piece employs bold outlines and simplified forms characteristic of the Kalighat school of painting. The figures are dressed in striking, patterned garments—orange and white for the fallen figure, red‑yellow sash and white skirt for the victor—rendered in flat, saturated colors that enhance the visual impact.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection in 1894 through the acquisition from Miss M. Steele. Steele’s mother, a Sanskrit scholar at Cambridge, had inherited the work, and family tradition suggests the grandmother may have collected such images during a stay in India, linking the piece to a broader diaspora of Indian visual culture.

Context

Kalighat paintings emerged in 19th‑century Calcutta as popular prints that depicted mythological and everyday scenes for a wide audience. This work aligns with that tradition, using accessible visual language to convey a well‑known episode from Hindu scripture, thereby bridging devotional narrative and commercial art.