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The Raja Ravi Varma Conservation Project
Artwork story

A detail view of an oleograph by Raja Ravi Varma, depicting the Hindu goddess Laxmi

Explore the delicate art of preserving history as QAGOMA joins a world-leading conservation and research project to restore a rare collection of Raja Ravi Varma oleographs. This landmark collaboration brings together conservation specialists from QAGOMA and the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) in Bangalore to share expertise, exchange methodologies and strengthen cross-cultural understanding.

This project is supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations through a Maitri grant.


Feature image: Raja Ravi Varma's Laxmi (detail) 1894, printed by the Ravi Varma Press c.1930s, garlanded with flowers for the opening of 'The God of Small Things', QAG, September 2025 / Photograph: N Umek, QAGOMA

Raja Ravi Varma's Laxmi 1894, printed by the Ravi Varma Press c.1910–20, garlanded with flowers for the official opening of 'The God of Small Things', QAG, September 2025 / © The artists / Photograph: N Umek, QAGOMA

Who was Raja Ravi Varma?
An oleograph print of a work by Raja Ravi Varma

Conserving Ravi Varma oleographs
A detail view of an oleograph that depicts Vishu appearing to Dhruva, an ascetic devotee of Vishnu. Dhruva is seated against the backdrop of cliffs and forest, under a large tree that forms the right hand side of the image, looking towards Vishnu. Vishnu appears proportionally larger than Dhruva, and is adorned with zardosi fabric with yellow and red garment, and pink, white and grey garland.

What is an oleograph?
A photograph documenting conservation work on an embroidered oleograph by Raja Ravi Varma, showing just the textile conservator's hands carefully stabilising embroidered elements of a colourful print.

What is zardozi embroidery?
An oleograph print of a work by Raja Ravi Varma in the process of receiving conservation treatment

Raja Ravi Varma's legacy

Across borders, QAGOMA has partnered with conservators at the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) in Bengaluru, India, to share skills and approaches to the care of Ravi Varma’s works. 
 

Conservation project team

Kim Barrett, Conservator, Works on Paper, QAGOMA
Dr Michael Marendy, Conservator, Textiles, QAGOMA
Elizabeth Chapman Conservator, Sculpture, QAGOMA
Cody Coates, Graduate Conservation Intern, Works on Paper, QAGOMA
Damian Buckley, Conservation Framing Technician, QAGOMA
Oliver Egan, Conservation Technician, Mount Cutting, QAGOMA


Conservation project team, MAP

Rajeev Kumar Choudhary, Head of Conservation, MAP
Haseeb Khan, Conservator & Restorer, MAP
Nayanamrutha TS, Assistant Conservator, MAP
Lulu Moideen, Assistant Conservator, MAP
 

Curatorial team, 'God of Small Things', QAGOMA

Tarun Nagesh, Curatorial Manager, Asian and Pacific Art, QAGOMA
Reuben Keehan, Curator, Asian and Pacific Art, QAGOMA
Abigail Bernal, Associate Curator, Asian and Pacific Art, QAGOMA
 

Collection Online feature

Editing and digital story: Zenobia Frost, Assistant Editor (Digital), Publications, QAGOMA
Installation and artwork photography: Nicholas Umek, Senior Photographer, QAGOMA 
Conservation photography: Stephanie Do Rozario, Marketing & Digital Content Specialist, QAGOMA
Text contributors: Kim Barratt, Tarun Nagesh, Abigail Bernal