Vintage Seshashayi Vishnu Chromolithograph | Raja Ravi Varma

This vintage chromolithograph depicts Vishnu in his Seshashayi form, reclining upon the coiled serpent Adishesha, who forms his divine couch. Vishnu rests in a calm and composed posture, with his right hand supporting his head, while the many-hooded Adishesha rises above him as a protective canopy. Goddess Lakshmi is seated near his feet, completing the traditional Vaishnava composition.

The image is after a work by Raja Ravi Varma, whose paintings played a significant role in shaping the visual language of Hindu devotional imagery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Through the Ravi Varma Press and its chromolithographic reproductions, his depictions of Hindu deities reached a much wider audience and became familiar in homes and devotional spaces across India.

Seshashayi Vishnu, also known as Sheshashayi Vishnu, represents Vishnu reclining upon Ananta Shesha, the infinite cosmic serpent. The composition brings together several important elements of Vaishnava iconography: Vishnu, the sustaining deity, Adishesha as his cosmic serpent couch and Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, seated beside him.

As a vintage Ravi Varma chromolithograph, the work is part of an important chapter in the history of Indian print culture. Chromolithography allowed the compositions of Raja Ravi Varma to be reproduced in colour and circulated widely, helping establish a recognisable visual vocabulary for Hindu devotional art in modern India.

The artwork remains housed in its original vintage wooden frame, which forms an integral part of its historical character. At The Blue Trunk, we take a conservation-led approach to vintage chromolithographs, retaining original frames wherever possible while making discreet interventions where required for safe display and preservation.

The frame is evaluated for stability, while original glass may be replaced with acrylic to reduce the risk of breakage during handling and shipping. Where an original metal backboard has corroded over time, it may be replaced with high-density fibreboard to provide more stable protection for the print. These interventions are carried out while retaining the original character of the artwork and frame wherever possible.

Details

Artist: Raja Ravi Varma
Subject: Seshashayi Vishnu
Iconography: Vishnu reclining on Adishesha with Goddess Lakshmi
Associated Figures: Adishesha and Goddess Lakshmi
Tradition: Vaishnava devotional art
Technique: Chromolithograph
Period: Vintage, early 20th century
Dimensions: 15 × 11 in
Frame: Original vintage wooden frame
Conservation: Frame evaluated; glass may be replaced with acrylic and corroded metal backing with HDF where required
Condition: Vintage condition with natural signs of age
Authenticity: Comes with an authenticity certificate from The Blue Trunk.