Ranti, a female ghost
Artist
Karpoori Devi
(Indian, 1929 - 2019)
Place of OriginBihar state, India
Date1981
MaterialsInk and colors on paper
DimensionsH. 30 in x W. 22 1/2 in, H. 76.20 cm x W. 57.15 cm
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1999.39.46
DepartmentSouth Asian Art
ClassificationsPainting
On View
Not on viewKarpoori Devi depicts a figure from folklore: a ghostly spirit or bhuta. This female ghost, Ranti, is an example of the terrifying, otherworldly spirits believed to coexist with the human world. The power and complexity of such beings, who are venerated and pacified through ongoing rituals, are expressed by their menacing and sometimes repulsive attributes.
While Karpoori Devi shows Ranti dressed in the clothing and jewelry of a village woman, the figure’s overall appearance is threatening. The ghost has hypnotic oversized eyes and a disturbing, fanged grin; she has horns on her head and her hair forms a halo, standing on end as though enlivened by electricity. Her feet and hands are clawlike, and blood drips from her hands. Karpoori Devi’s use of a minimalist color palette (black with touches of red) and absence of background decoration focuses attention on the figure of the female ghost.
While Karpoori Devi shows Ranti dressed in the clothing and jewelry of a village woman, the figure’s overall appearance is threatening. The ghost has hypnotic oversized eyes and a disturbing, fanged grin; she has horns on her head and her hair forms a halo, standing on end as though enlivened by electricity. Her feet and hands are clawlike, and blood drips from her hands. Karpoori Devi’s use of a minimalist color palette (black with touches of red) and absence of background decoration focuses attention on the figure of the female ghost.
