13 GOD PRINTS PREDATING RAVI VARMA. 12 ISSUED BY CALCUTTA ART STUDIO
15 x 11 in | 38.1 x 27.9 cm
A set of Hindu god prints produced in the 1880s in Calcutta by the students of the Calcutta Art School who had been unsuccessful in finding government employment. They set up a collective called CALCUTTA ART STUDIO, a short-lived venture and a pioneer in this newly-introduced printing method in India. [See ART AND NATIONALISM IN COLONIAL INDIA by Partha Mitter for details about this press.]
These are all rarities and are the earliest Hindu god prints done in chromolithography, predating Raja Ravi Varma's works by some 20 years. All the prints in the series on offer are excellently matted with large margins. The prints themselves have been cut to margin. The title of each print [except the 1st], in Bengali / Hindi, has been cut and pasted in a corner of the print. Most of them are in good condition except for varying degrees of chipping.
THESE ARE GENUINE 1880s CALCUTTA ART STUDIO PRINTS BUT HAVE BEEN CUT TO MARGIN AND THE PRINT LINE IS NOT PRESENT. PRICED ACCORDINGLY. Some of these figure in the recent literature on Indian calendar art or god prints.
1.
DEVGOSHTHI [Assembly of gods], title printed below the image in Bengali, Hindi and English
print size 15 x 11 inches
Bottom left corner missing, bottom right margin chipped.
2.
RAMRAJA [title pasted in Bengali and English at top right corner]. Shows Lord Ram and Sita in Durbar
print size 15 x 11 inches
Corners chipped.
3.
JAGADHATRI [title pasted in Bengali, Hindi and English at top right corner]. Jagaddhatri is an aspect of Durga who is particularly worshipped in West Bengal.
print size 13.5 x 10 inches
4.
JUGALRUP [Title in English pasted on bottom let corner]. Shows Radha and Krishna. The title would imply 'The image of the divine couple'.
print size 15 x 11 inches
Corners chipped.
5.
NIKUNJ VIHAR [title in Bengali and Hindi pasted on top of print]. Shows Radha and Krishna with gopis moving around.The title would mean 'Recreation in the bower'.
print size 12.5 x9 inches
Scratch in lower half of print. Minor chipping along right margin.
6.
VIJAYA [title in Hindi pasted on bottom right corner and in Bengali on bottom right]. Shows Shiva holding Ganesh at the marriage of Parvati's sister Vijaya, who is being escorted by maidens.
print size 12.5 x 9 inches
7.
HARISHCHANDRA [title in Bengali and English pasted on top right corner]. Shows Raja Harishchandra as a cremation-ground minion while his wife Taramati sits helpless.
size: 14.5 x 10.5 inches
Minor chipping along right margin.
8.
HARYOG BHANG [title in Bengali and Hindi pasted on bottom left corner]. Shows Kamdev, the god of love, hiding behind a tree and playing the cupid, to disturb Shiva in his meditation at the instance of Parvati. The title would mean 'Interruption of Shiva in his meditation'.
size 13 x 9.25 inchs
Bottom left corner has a tiny chip.
9.
SHRI SHRI NARAYANDEV [title in Bengali pasted on bottom right corner]. Shows Narayan reclining on Sheshnag with Brahma emerging from his navel.
size: 15 x 11 inches
Minor chipping along margins.
10.
SHRI SHRI LAKSHMI NARAYAN [title in Bengali, Hindi and English pasted on top right corner]. Shows Narayan and Lakshmi in durbar with Shiva among devotees
size: 14 x 10 inches
Bottom right corner has a tiny chip.
11.
SHRI SHRI RADHA GOSHTHI [title in Bengali and Hindi pasted on top right corner]. Shows Radha surrounded by her companions.
PRINTED IN LIGHT COLOURS
size 12.5 x 9.5 inches
A very tiny chip at top left corner. Slightly crumpled in the middle.
12.
SHRI SHRI RADHA GOSHTHI [title in Bengali and Hindi pasted on top right corner]. Shows Radha surrounded by her companions
SAME AS NO. 11 BUT PRINTED IN STRONG COLOURS
size 12.5 x 9.5 inches
13.
NAAG POOJA [titled in Bengali below print]
Printed at the Chore Bagan Studio, 24, Bhoobun Banerjee's Lane, Calcutta.br.Showing Janmejaya performing a yagya to destroy serpents. This is from one of the studios that came up after the Calcutta Art Studio.
Size 13.5 x 11 inches
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
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