Self portrait
Fresco artist, Professor at Fine arts, Vadodara

Artist Gyarsilal K Varma (1930 – 2000)

circa 1980, Fresco on POP plate
12 x 8.25 x 0.75 in. (30.5 x 21 x 1.9 cm.)

Varma was a traditionally trained craftsman from a lineage of masons in Jaipur, deeply rooted in the techniques of Rajasthani mural art. Discovered by eminent artist N.S. Bendre in Vanasthali, Rajasthan, he was invited to join the Faculty of Fine Arts, MSU, Vadodara, in 1955 as a tutor in mural design. His expertise, especially in the Jaipur Fresco technique – Arayash, brought a vital link between classical craftsmanship and modern art education. Over the years, he collaborated on numerous significant mural projects, most notably with K.G. Subramanyan, contributing his mastery in fresco, mosaic, and cement relief techniques. The Jaipur Fresco style, also known as Arayash, is characterized by intricate lime plaster work polished to a smooth, marble-like finish and painted with natural pigments. This demanding technique, requiring speed, precision, and layered surface treatment, was traditionally used in palaces and havelis.

In this self-portrait, Varma employs the Jaipur Fresco style to depict his own face with stylized geometry, earth-toned hues, and bold linework. The work bridges folk sensibilities with a modernist approach, demonstrating his command over material and form. The portrait becomes both an artistic and cultural statement—rooted in tradition yet resonating with contemporary expression.