Vishwamitra and Menaka

Raja Ravi Varma’s Vishwamitra and Menaka captures the dramatic moment from Hindu mythology when the celestial nymph Menaka is sent to disturb the sage Vishwamitra’s penance. The painting portrays the contrast between Menaka’s grace and allure and Vishwamitra’s struggle for restraint, highlighting themes of temptation, ascetic discipline, and the fragile balance between human resolve and divine intervention.

In the late 19th century, oleographs - also called chromolithographs - became a revolutionary bridge between fine art and the public. Leading this transformation was Raja Ravi Varma, whose vision brought mythological gods, goddesses, and epic scenes into the homes of millions. To make his paintings accessible beyond the wealthy elite, Ravi Varma established the Ravi Varma Press in 1894 at Ghatkopar, later moved to Lonavala, pioneering high-quality colour lithography in India.

Each oleograph was created by transferring the image onto lithographic stones or metal plates, layering one colour at a time, and often enhancing details with fine handwork. This labour-intensive process, requiring master artisans and months of precision, gave the prints a luminous depth. Ravi Varma’s lithographs not only preserved his iconic depictions of characters from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas, but also shaped the popular visual culture of India for generations.

Today, surviving originals are rare - cherished as both works of art and cultural treasures. They stand as vivid storytellers of India’s heritage, where pigment meets poetry, and the genius of Raja Ravi Varma continues to inspire.