Printed from a woodblock prepared by Nritya Lal Datta, an engraver who had his shop at Jorabagan, the hand-tinted image is of Dakshinakali from the Kalighat temple. Red pigment is smeared over the deity’s eyes, tongue and palms, as well as used to define the blood on her sickle and dripping from the decapitated heads. Black printing ink served as the perfect colour to reproduce the deity’s skin, which was differentiated from the black of her hair by elaborate earrings. The woodblock was delicately carved by Datta, who showed considerable skill in making successive layers using different textures.
19th Century Popular Print
Untitled
c. middle to late 19th century
Wood engraving tinted with natural dye on paper
Enquiry Form
19th Century Popular Print
Untitled
c. middle to late 19th century
Wood engraving tinted with natural dye on paper
Image Request Form
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