Glow of Hope – a masterpiece that became immortal with time, can be mistaken twice, either as a work of Raja Ravi Varma or an oil painting. The impermanence of this Indian art can only be felt and not defined in words. However, these two seemingly real assumptions only baffle visitors when they discover their ultimate realities. Explore more about the painting Glow of Hope by S.L. Haldankar, the use of chiaroscuro, and the muse behind this immortal work of art. So, let’s dive in!
What is Glow of Hope?
Glow of Hope is an iconic painting by S.L. Haldankar, an Indian artist whose portraits in oil and watercolours were emotionally intense, realistic, and thought-provoking. A chiaroscuro painting depicting a beautiful, soft-featured Indian woman gracefully holding a lit lamp in her slender hand, shielding it against the wind with the other, this magnum opus was painted in 1945–46.
Currently a part of the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery at the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore, the inspiration behind this realistic painting was S.L. Haldankar’s daughter, Gita Haldankar, who, on the occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights, draped in a saree, had just lit the lamp when her father decided to capture this beautiful moment out of adoration for his daughter.
Little did anyone predict that this painting would become not just renowned but also immortalised across generations. Purchased for Rs 300 from S.L. Haldankar by the Mysore rulers, the painting had a hefty demand with the highest auction price of Rs 8 crore.
However, this invaluable painting of S.L. Haldankar is meant to grace the museum’s walls, where visitors can witness the warmth of the Glow of Hope come to life. The museum’s decision not to part with the watercolour masterpiece has today become advantageous for all art lovers, both within the country and beyond.
The Use of Chiaroscuro in S.L. Haldankar’s Glow of Hope
Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery has a huge collection of paintings. Still, the Glow of Hope leaves visitors awestruck with its simplicity, grandeur, and the delicate details that S.L. Haldankar has beautifully portrayed in the painting.
The artwork that seems to be an oil painting is a watercolour, and the choice of the medium was intentional as the artist desired the world to see the magic and mastery that watercolours can bring to a painting.
To enhance the effect of light in the painting, museum visitors at the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore need to enter an enclave where the darkened atmosphere makes the light from the lamp more prominent, and the brass lamp seems to flood the space with an iridescent aura.
When the lights are switched on, one cannot help but be amazed by the details in the saree with the delicate hues of pink and lavender, and the painting’s condition is preserved in all its glory.
Gita Haldankar: The Muse of Glow of Hope
On the occasion of Diwali in the mid-1940s, Gita Haldankar, daughter of S.L. Haldankar, at the age of twelve, became the muse of Glow of Hope, inspiring her father to paint the chiaroscuro painting, an iconic work of art from one of the top watercolour artists in the world.
She recounts how she stood for three hours a day for three days for her father to paint his muse. Gita Haldankar lived more than a hundred years, but her essence continues to live on through this watercolour painting across timelines.
Bottom Line
Glow of Hope, the watercolour painting, is a timeless masterpiece that we hope will continue to inspire awe in visitors to the art museum at the Jaganmohan Palace. It’s quite astonishing to discover how a painting from the festive moments of Diwali went on to become a treasured jewel serving as a beacon of artistic mastery for Indian artists.
A feast for the eyes, Glow of Hope will make you passionate about Indian paintings. You can experience the everlasting bond between the artist, the muse, and enthusiastic admirers across time and space.