Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat albumc. 1890 · Study 2003.152

Context from the museum

Rama and Sita sit enthroned under a royal parasol held by Rama’s brother Lakshmana. A diminutive Hanuman kneels before them in adoration. The stunning mix of vibrant color animates the otherwise static scene. The local Indian artists who created inexpensive paintings for visitors to the temple at Kalighat were accustomed to creating rapid watercolor paintings with collapsed perspectives and flat backgrounds. Since their workshops were near the British colonial capital of Calcutta (now Kolkata), they were aware of British fashions, such as the Prince Albert mustache.

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

A detail to notice

Rama wields the divine bow of Vishnu, which is why he is shown with an arrow in his right hand.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, from a Kalighat album is 27.5 cm wide and 45.5 cm high, equivalent to approximately 10.8 × 17.9 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.60:1. 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 9.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 136.3 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 Rama and Sita enthroned with Lakshmana and Hanuman attending, 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, tin, and ink on paper, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 27.5 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?