Rama and Sita enthroned (recto), from a Kalighat albumc. 1890 · Study 2003.134.a

Context from the museum

Rama has been crowned king upon his return to Ayodhya at the end of a 14-year exile, having rescued his wife Sita from imprisonment on the island of Lanka. King Rama still holds his signature emblems of bow and arrow. His brother Lakshmana, here shown as green like Rama, holds the insignia of royalty, a flywhisk. Another brother holds the royal parasol. Hanuman, Rama’s semidivine monkey general, prostrates himself before the couple. Devotees who travel to the Hindu temple at Kalighat could purchase a painting of this type to commemorate their visit and to adorn a domestic altar.

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

A detail to notice

Hanuman, Rama’s monkey devotee, prostrates himself before Rama as a sign of his humility.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for Rama and Sita enthroned (recto), from a Kalighat album is 25.6 cm wide and 31 cm high, equivalent to approximately 10.1 × 12.2 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.83:1. The rectangular bounding area is 0.08 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 8.5% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 137.2 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 Rama and Sita enthroned (recto), 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, and ink on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 25.6 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?