The month of Festivals,October is the perfect time to introduce you to the Indian "God prints," also known as Indian prints of Hindu Gods and Goddesses .Hindu gods and godesses are everywhere in India.But there are differences in style and printing technique. Ravi Varma (1848-1906), a painter, and probably India’s most famous artist, set up a lithography workshop (Ravi Varma Press) which published God prints, printed from limestone blocks, from 1894 until the 1930’s (switching over to the photo-offset technique sometime in the 1940’s).
Taxi,Calcutta
Sweetshop,Calcutta
Potato seller
Shekawati
Flower seller,Calcutta
Tea stand,Calcutta
Barber shop,Calcutta
In this section let me introduce you to a unique couple,Mark Baron and Elise Boisanté who became hooked on their first trip to India:"...it all started when they desperately wanted to find a beautiful old print of Lakshmi, and of Ganesh, that they could hang in their home. That’s how it began.Mark and Elise's collection now consists of over 400 prints, most of which are from the 1880's to the 1920's, but they also have some of the "best of the 1930's and early 1940's."
Three quarters of their collection is for sale (to fund their yearly trips back to India), prices range from $30 to $2,000 with most between $100 and $400, and they have a great website and fine catalog (which they'll send only if you're really serious), but you have to come see them in person to buy a print.
I urge you to take a look at their site OmfromIndia.com and check them out in NYC if this peaks your interest. As far as compelling collecting stories go, this is a great one. Enjoy!
Image courtesy:apartment therapy
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