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Lot 345 Kalligat paintings originated in the 19th Century as a souvenir item associated with the Kalligat temple in Calcutta and gradually transformed into a distinguished school of painting of their own. They are characterized by fields of bold watercolours, applied onto paper in loose and wide brushstrokes. The figures are modelled with simple shadows into gently rounded forms, their faces with elongated eyes, against flat backgrounds. The earliest paintings were made for those visiting the bazaar associated with the temple, who wanted Hindu deities, including Krishna, Shiva and, of course, Kali, the mother goddess. Over time, painters embraced a wider range of subjects, including genre scenes and contemporary events. Kalligat paintings served as commentaries on social and political events, but paintings of these themes were necessarily smaller and summarily painted to meet the increasing demand. Paintings of classical subjects of Hindu icons are prized for their timelessness.
The Cosmic Form of Hanuman
POSSIBLY JAIPUR, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Closed22 May 2008
Price Realised
GBP 687