Timeless Splendour: Heritage & Traditional Indian Art
Stepping into the heritage of India. From rare Tanjore paintings to academic portraits of a bygone era, we invite you to explore the stories behind these traditional masterpieces.
This portrait of Diwan Sir Tanjavur Madhav Rao is an heirloom that came to us in 2019. Over five years, we meticulously worked on its attribution, restoration, and valuation, finally placing it in its rightful home in 2024. It is a testament to our dedication to preserving artistic legacies.
This stunning work, ‘Shakuntala in the Court of Dushyanta,’ was sourced from the Travancore Royal Family. Believed to be by Raja Ravi Varma, our research and restoration revealed the signature of his son, Rama Varma. This highlights our responsibility to verify provenance and sell only genuine, accurately attributed artworks.
In 2013, we sold our very first Raja Ravi Varma portrait, a masterpiece acquired from the artist's family. This momentous sale spurred the creation of The Raja Ravi Varma Foundation, a legacy we are proud to have supported for a decade.
This late 1940s portrait by Travancore artist N.N. Nambiyar depicts "The Third Princess," Karthika Tirunal Indira Bayi. A follower of the Ravi Varma style, Nambiyar captures the grace of the Maharani's daughter, who was the first female royal in her family to obtain a college degree.
A striking photograph of Ananda Gajapati Raju by the pioneering 19th-century Indian photographer, Raja Deen Dayal. His work seamlessly merges the tonal richness of photography with the expressiveness of painting.
This stunning, delicate portrait of an unknown woman is by the artist V.S. Sharma, circa 1930-1940. The artist's use of subtle shading and fine brushstrokes brings out a serene and ethereal quality, capturing the elegance of the era.
A throwback to an art mystery from 2014. This magnificent 9-foot tall painting, titled "Sir Afzal Mulkh," captivated us with its grandeur, but its artist and exact subject remain elusive. Its journey reminds us of the many stories hidden within art history.
About this collection
Every heritage piece here, whether a 20th-century Tanjore painting or a 1940s oil portrait, comes with a documented history. We go beyond simple sales; we provide the narrative behind the artwork, from the family it was sourced from to the restoration efforts needed to revive it. If you are considering adding a traditional work to your collection, we recommend scheduling a viewing at our Lavelle Road gallery to see how these textures hold up under natural light.
Art conservation is the silent backbone of our work at Gallery G. When we handle a 19th-century aquatint or a vintage Tanjore piece, we are not merely managing inventory. We are safeguarding cultural memory. Our team specializes in verifying the provenance of traditional Indian art, often tracing pieces back through royal lineages, as seen with our work on Raja Ravi Varma’s descendants or the Travancore royal collection.
We believe that the value of heritage art lies in its continuity. A painting is not just an object; it is a witness to time. Our process involves meticulous authentication and, where necessary, reversible restoration that respects the artist's original intent. Whether you are looking for the vibrant gold leaf work of a Tanjore 'Navaneetha Krishna' or the academic precision of a mid-century portrait, our goal is to ensure each piece finds a home where its story will continue.
Collecting traditional art requires trust and patience. From managing transport logistics for fragile Tanjore works to providing framing advice that protects against moisture, we assist you at every step. We invite you to visit our gallery in Bengaluru to examine these works firsthand. Understanding the depth of the gold foil or the brushwork in a portrait is a sensory experience that no digital image can fully capture.
Gallery G
At Gallery G, we see ourselves as caretakers. We are located on Lavelle Road, where we dedicate our days to the preservation and appreciation of Indian art history. We believe that a piece of art is a living connection to our past, and we are here to help you find one that speaks to your own journey.
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