The correct option is Oil paints and lithographic reproduction.
Explanation
Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906) is a pivotal figure in Indian art history, credited with bridging traditional Indian imagery and Western academic realism.
- Oil Paints: Ravi Varma was among the first Indian artists to master oil painting, a medium primarily used by European artists at the time. He applied Western techniques of perspective, composition, and realism to Indian subjects, particularly Hindu deities and mythological scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
- Lithographic Reproduction: To meet the immense public demand for his work, Varma established a lithographic press in Bombay in 1894. This press produced mass-market oleographs (colored lithographic prints) of his paintings. This innovation democratized art, allowing images of deities to enter the homes of the common people, significantly shaping the modern visual culture of Hindu worship.
Analysis of Incorrect Options:
- Tempera and woodcut printing Tempera and woodcut: Tempera is associated with traditional murals and miniatures (e.g., Jamini Roy later returned to tempera). Woodcut is an older relief printing technique.
- Gouache and copperplate etching Gouache and copperplate etching: Gouache was the standard medium for Indian miniature paintings. Etching is an intaglio printmaking method not central to Varma's legacy.
- Watercolour and albumen printing Watercolour and albumen printing: Albumen printing is a photographic process. While Varma's realism influenced set designs and photography, his primary contribution was in painting and lithography.
Key Takeaway: Raja Ravi Varma is historically significant for introducing oil painting to Indian subjects and pioneering the mass production of art through the lithographic press.