Hanuman with Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, from a Kalighat albumc. 1890 · Study 2003.120

Context from the museum

A simplified but bold color palette of orange, yellow, and green with silvery accents gives this image of Rama, Lakshmana, and their monkey ally Hanuman a sense of rhythm and urgency. Riding on Hanuman’s shoulders, the hero Rama—painted green—and his brother Lakshmana search for Rama’s abducted wife Sita. At the bottom of the painting, an informal scrawl contemplates the identification of the colossal figure as either the “Great Hero” Hanuman or Sugriva, but the image of a devoted tawny monkey carrying the two brothers unambiguously indicates Hanuman, Rama’s most faithful follower.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

Hanuman can change his size and form at will, even making himself colossal in order to carry the two princes.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for Hanuman with Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, from a Kalighat album is 29.4 cm wide and 45.6 cm high, equivalent to approximately 11.6 × 18.0 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.64:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.13 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 9.8% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 135.3 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Hanuman with Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, from a Kalighat album in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, Gum tempera, graphite, ink, and tin on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 29.4 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?