Laxmi 1894 - 1930

This image of Lakshmi – goddess of wealth and prosperity – is one of Ravi Varma’s most iconic and widely reproduced works. Released alongside a companion image of Saraswati in 1894 by the Ravi Varma Press, it marked a turning point in Indian visual culture. At a time when temple access and religious rituals were restricted by caste, such prints brought sacred imagery into ordinary homes. They were among the first representations to depict Hindu goddesses with naturalistic, human qualities, fostering a more personal connection to the divine.

Shown standing on a lotus flower, Lakshmi holds smaller blooms in her upper hands, while her lower hands perform the mudras or symbolic gestures of abhaya (protection) and varada (blessing). The print has been further adorned by an unknown artisan. The combination of chromolithography and hand-applied textile ornamentation reflects the devotional significance these images held in domestic life.