From European fantasy to an Indian national icon. Images of women in the art of Ravi Varma

Abstract

Ravi Varma (1848–1906) was an artist who has had a huge impact on Indian art. Criticised by some, adored by most in India and considered the precursor of modern art, he is the indisputable father of popular aesthetics in India. First of all, conscious, systematic Europeanisation in conjunction with the creation of modern mythological iconography and representations of women secured him a permanent place in the history of art. No artist before him could so creatively exploit new opportunities that opened wider relations with European art. The magnitude of Varma’s art lied in the fact that he did not copy European paintings, but adapted them to suit the needs of academic painting. The Indian woman ideal created by him is to this day the most widespread standard of beauty, especially in popular art. His construct of femininity has become the ideal for Indian women, goddesses and even embodies the nation in the form of Mother India (Bharat Mata).