A Kalligat Painting of Hanuman illustrating his Devotion to Ram and Sita

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Kalligat paintings originated in the 19th Century as a souvenir item associated with the Kalligat temple in Calcutta and gradually transformed into a distinguished school of painting of their own. They are characterized by fields of bold watercolours, applied onto paper in loose and wide brushstrokes. The figures are modelled with simple shadows into gently rounded forms, their faces with elongated eyes, against flat backgrounds. The earliest paintings were made for those visiting the bazaar associated with the temple, who wanted Hindu deities, including Krishna, Shiva and, of course, Kali, the mother goddess. Over time, painters embraced a wider range of subjects, including genre scenes and contemporary events. Kalligat paintings served as commentaries on social and political events, but paintings of these themes were necessarily smaller and summarily painted to meet the increasing demand. Paintings of classical subjects of Hindu icons are prized for their timelessness.

A Kalligat Painting of Hanuman illustrating his Devotion to Ram and Sita

INDIA, CALCUTTA, 19TH CENTURY

Details

A Kalligat Painting of Hanuman illustrating his Devotion to Ram and Sita
India, Calcutta, 19th Century
Watercolour heightened with silver on buff paper, Hanuman kneels holding between his hands a panel depicting his devotion to Rama and Sita, mounted, framed and glazed
17¾ x 10¾ in. (45.1 x 26.8 cm.)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

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