Who painted Surpanakha and Ravana?

Surpanakha and Ravana was painted by Unknown in 1890.

Where can I see Surpanakha and Ravana?

Surpanakha and Ravana is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Surpanakha and Ravana?

Surpanakha and Ravana is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Surpanakha and Ravana

Unknown , 1890

Surpanakha and Ravana 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.

About this work

Overview

This late 19th-century painting depicts a pivotal scene from the Ramayana, where Surpanakha goads Ravana into seeking revenge against Rama by kidnapping Sita. Characterized by vibrant colors and simplified forms, the work embodies the Kalighat painting style.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the moment Surpanakha, disfigured by Rama, persuades Ravana to abduct Sita in revenge. The interaction between the two blue-skinned figures conveys the narrative's emotional core, with Surpanakha (in a red sari with white dots, holding a fan) and Ravana (under a striped umbrella, wearing a crowned adorned with green jewels) poised at the threshold of their vengeful plan.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour and tin alloy on paper, the painting showcases Kalighat's distinctive traits: bold, flat colors (notably red, blue, and gold), fluid brushwork, and bold outlines. The flat, two-dimensional representation of the figures and the light background are hallmark stylistic elements.

History & Provenance

Produced in the late 19th century in Calcutta (then the capital of British India), this painting is part of a tradition where Bengali artists adapted rural painting techniques for urban markets, reflecting the cultural and economic dynamics of the time.

Context

The inclusion of Bengali script at the bottom of the painting highlights its local audience and roots within Bengali culture, despite being created during the British colonial period. The style, known as Kalighat, emerged as a response to urbanization and Western influence.

Legacy

As part of the Kalighat painting tradition, this work contributes to the preservation of Ramayana narratives in visual art and demonstrates the evolution of folk art in response to urban and colonial contexts, influencing subsequent generations of Indian artists.