Portrait of Sri Ramakrishna
Graphic print or illustration on paper • Anonymous, likely an Indian printmaking workshop or devotee artist; based on the 1881 photograph by Bengal Photographers.
Style & Movement
Indian Devotional Art; colonial-era Bengal School influence mixed with early photographic realism.
Medium & Technique
Etching or lithographic reproduction, likely based on a 19th-century photograph; features two-tone ink printing with cross-hatching and stippling techniques.
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (reprint or contemporary devotional art)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 8 inches; portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A bust-length portrait of the Hindu mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. He is depicted with a beard and contemplative gaze, set against a stylized, circular orange halo (aureole) containing geometric or astronomical-like patterns reminiscent of a mandala.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible graininess suggests a mechanical reproduction of a lower resolution or aged source, with some cropping at the edges.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $250 (as a devotional print/reproduction)
Auction Estimate
$30 - $150
Provenance History
Likely originated from a religious institution (Ashram) or as part of a published hagiography; common in the Ramakrishna Mission circles.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a localized religious icon; it represents the transition of Indian sacred art from traditional painting to the use of photography and mass-reproduced prints for the Bhakti movement.
Notable Features
The distinctive 'circular' halo which appears to be a separate graphic element superimposed over the realistic rendering of the subject.
Condition Issues
Digital artifacts in the image, likely paper yellowing in the original, and minor ink fading in the orange halo section.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in acid-free mounting, keep away from direct UV light to prevent fading of the orange pigment, and maintain stable humidity to avoid foxing.