Collection: Raja Ravi Varma Oleographs (Rare)

Raja Ravi Varma oleographs, produced in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mark a pivotal moment in the history of Indian art, where the sacred and the aesthetic became accessible to the many, not just the privileged few. These were high-quality prints of Raja Ravi Varma’s iconic oil paintings, created with the intent of bringing fine art into everyday homes across India.

This vision came to life through the establishment of the Ravi Varma Press in 1894, initially near Mumbai and later moved to Lonavala. The press employed chromolithography, a sophisticated printing technique that allowed for remarkable fidelity - capturing the depth, texture, and richness of oil paintings with striking precision. The result was a series of prints that retained the grandeur of the originals while being widely distributable.

The subjects of these oleographs were deeply rooted in Indian culture and imagination. They often depicted Hindu deities rendered in a naturalistic, almost lifelike style, these images gave form to the divine in a way that felt intimate and relatable, reshaping how generations visualized their gods and stories.

Today, original oleographs from the Ravi Varma Press are limited edition art which are treasured collectibles, many over a century old - valued not just for their artistic merit but for their cultural impact.