Art historian Ashvin E. Rajagopalan reexamines Raja Ravi Varma's Yashoda and Krishna painting attribution

Art historian Ashvin E. Rajagopalan has reopened questions about the authorship of a painting depicting Yashoda and Krishna, traditionally attributed to Raja Ravi Varma. His investigation examines the relationship between the painting and stained glass at Baroda palace, raising issues about workshop practices and attribution. The painting carries a valuation of ₹167 crore, making the question of authorship particularly significant. Rajagopalan's analysis suggests the possibility that the work might not be solely by Varma's hand, potentially involving his workshop. This reexamination touches on broader questions about artistic production in 19th-century India and the attribution of high-value artworks. The investigation considers how workshop practices might complicate traditional notions of single authorship for works from this period. The substantial financial valuation adds urgency to resolving questions about the painting's origins. Rajagopalan's work represents a scholarly challenge to established attributions in Indian art history.