“Birth of Shakuntala” Raja Ravi Varma’s Historic 1st Edition Oleograph From 1894
An exceptionally rare Raja Ravi Varma’s historic 1st edition oleograph, the ‘Birth of Shakuntala’. This historic oleograph was part of the very first batch produced by the newly established Raja Ravi Varma Press in 1894. Marking it as a monumental piece of art history.
This Birth of Shakuntala carries notable significance:
- It was the first Raja Ravi Varma oleograph ever published.
- It was the first oleograph made in India.
- It was the first oleograph in all of Asia at that time.
Adding to its rarity, this 1st edition is distinguished by its printing process. It was probably the only edition to use the full set of heavy printing stones. However, this high-quality process was quickly deemed uneconomical and labour-intensive. It was discontinued on the advice of the German technicians. The subsequent editions used fewer stones, resulting in less colour and depth.
For those unfamiliar, an oleograph (or Chromolithograph) is significantly different from a lithograph. While a lithograph is a flat print, an oleograph is an intricate reproduction designed to simulate the texture and richness of an oil painting.
The unique oleography technique involves a painstaking process: heavy printing stones are used for each colour. These multiple layers are applied sequentially to create a full-colour image exactly like the painting. The result is a vibrant, textured image that is often mistaken for an actual oil painting. A distinction that Raja Ravi Varma’s Fine Arts Lithographic Press (FAL) brought to prominence in India with this very picture in 1894.
Raja Ravi Varma himself is believed to have personally supervised and completed the artwork on these initial heavy stones. Over its 130-year history, this rare edition had undergone some deterioration from the vagaries of weather and humidity. It was restored expertly by Mrs. Rupika Chawla. She is a renowned art conservator and author of Raja Ravi Varma: Painter of Colonial India.
It still retains its original wooden frame and thick glass. Measuring 42 x 30 inches (3½ x 2½ feet) and weighing nearly 15 kilograms, the original frame and glass add to its grandeur. The image does not do justice to this rare oleograph, which is far more stunning when seen in person.
Also read Oleography., What Is The Difference In Lithographs And Oleographs, and Raja Ravi Varma: When the Gods Came Home
Did You Know – Raja Ravi Varma passed away at the age of 58 in 1906. He was so newsworthy even at that time, that many Indian and international news agencies camped at Kilimanoor during his last days.
Past posts- Raja Ravi Varma’s Portrait Photo, 1906 Postcard., Bhageerathi, The Wife Of Raja Ravi Varma, 1870 Photo.