Vintage Raja Ravi Varma Annapurna Oleograph | Annapurna Devi Offering Food to Shiva

A vintage Raja Ravi Varma oleograph depicting Goddess Annapurna seated and offering grains to Shiva, a powerful composition centred on food, nourishment and divine generosity. Annapurna, richly dressed and adorned with jewellery, is shown offering grains to Shiva, who stands before her with his hands extended to receive them.

Annapurna is regarded as a manifestation of Goddess Parvati and is traditionally associated with food, nourishment, abundance and the sustaining force of life. Her name derives from anna, meaning food or grain, and purna, meaning full or abundant. The grains at the centre of this composition are therefore significant, representing nourishment, fertility, prosperity and the continuation of life.

The scene draws from the Hindu tradition in which Parvati appears as Annapurna after Shiva dismisses the material world and food as illusion. When nourishment disappears from the world, Shiva himself ultimately approaches Annapurna and receives food from her. The image creates a striking reversal of roles: the ascetic and powerful Shiva becomes the recipient, while Annapurna assumes the role of provider. The act of feeding becomes a reminder of the essential relationship between spiritual life and physical sustenance.

Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906) was instrumental in shaping modern representations of Hindu deities through his combination of European academic painting techniques and Indian mythological subjects. His paintings were widely reproduced as colour oleographs, bringing mythological and devotional imagery into Indian homes on an unprecedented scale. This work is an oleographic reproduction rather than an original Ravi Varma painting and is of particular interest to collectors of vintage Indian prints and devotional art.

The oleograph retains its original wooden frame, preserving its period presentation. The original glass has been replaced with acrylic for safer handling and display.

Details

Artist: Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906)
Subject: Goddess Annapurna offering food/grain to Shiva
Medium: Vintage oleograph / colour print
Tradition: Indian devotional and mythological art
Period: Vintage; exact printing date to be determined from physical examination and publisher markings
Frame: Original wooden frame
Glazing: Acrylic; original glass replaced
Dimensions: H 15 × L 11 × D 1 in
Condition: Vintage condition with age-related characteristics to the print and frame. Please refer to the photographs for details.
Authenticity: Comes with an authenticity certificate from The Blue Trunk.