Ceremonial Elephant in Madhubani by Pratima Bharti

This vibrant Madhubani painting by Pratima Bharti features a singular, highly stylized elephant, a recurring motif in Mithila art that symbolizes wisdom, royalty and good fortune. Madhubani art is a vibrant folk painting tradition from the Mithila region of India, renowned for its intricate geometric patterns, bold colors and symbolic depictions of mythology and nature. This composition focuses on the physical majesty of the animal, transforming its form into a dense canvas of geometric and floral patterns.

The elephant is depicted in profile, filling nearly the entire central field. Its head and trunk are the focal points, characterized by a large, singular almond-shaped eye and a tusk that points upward. The elephant’s ear is rendered as an oversized, multi-layered floral fan in shades of orange and red, while its trunk is adorned with green scalloped edges, giving it a ceremonial appearance. The body of the elephant is partitioned into distinct geometric sections. One prominent section features a checkered pattern in vibrant blue, red, orange and green, while another displays a large red lotus motif, a symbol of purity and divinity.

The elephant’s face and neck are filled with fine black dots (stippling), providing a textured, "skin-like" contrast to the bold solid colors of the body. Parallel line-work is used in the trunk and legs to suggest muscle and movement. A stylized tree with orange fruits and gray leaves is cleverly integrated into the curve of the trunk. This motif represents the elephant's connection to the forest and the sustenance of nature. Thick green outlines define the main segments of the animal, creating a rhythmic flow that guides the eye from the trunk to the tail.

The composition is held together by a structured, multi-layered border that complements the interior's complexity. The primary border consists of a repeating row of yellow and orange lotus-like petals. A series of multicolored triangles and fine-line panels frame the central scene. The triangles are used to depict water chestnuts, found abundantly in the region. A solid black border provides a strong visual anchor, making the intricate internal patterns stand out more clearly.

Each of our artworks are hand painted by master artists across India. We provide a digital authentication certificate with this artwork signed by the artist which will be sent over email after 3-4 days of delivery of the artwork.

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Delivery Timeline

This artwork will be Made to Order and will take 1-2 weeks to be made and shipped.

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All MeMeraki artworks are hand-painted. In rare occasions, artist may face delays due to weather, health, prior commitments or force majeure. Our team will reach out to you with revised timelines in case of such delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience in such situations.

All artworks on the website are hand painted from scratch by our master artists. This makes every artwork absolutely unique and the actual colour and overall artwork may vary slightly from the artwork image posted here.