Knowing Indian Paintings - Part 1
You know Mona Lisa & Banksy but do you know your own country’s art? Here’s the tea!
1. Shakuntala by Raja Ravi Varma in 1870
Its one of the most famous paintings from India & depicts a scene from Mahabharat. The photos of all the Hindu Gods & figures you worship today are inspired by this guy’s work because he made divine art accessible to the masses by showing Gods in relatable human figures.
2. Three Girls by Amrita Sher-Gil in 1935
It shows the sadness Indian women have to go through. The painter was actually born in Hungary but came back to India to create some of the most intimate art majorly depicting the lives & emotions of women, making her an icon for feminist artists.
3. Mahisasura by Tyeb Mehta in 1994
That’s from our story of Goddess Durga destroying the demon. By blending ancient concepts with modern style, Mehta pioneered minimalist & abstract art with his bold lines, colours & hard shapes.
4. Bharat Mata by Abanindranath Tagore in 1905
This is a classical depiction of what our Independence struggle & what the country stands for, painted by the Founder of the Bengal School of Art who fought the British influence with our original desi styles.
5. Bapuji by M.F Husain in 1987
This portrait of Mahatma Gandhi is one of many bold & sharp artworks coming from the Picasso of India, M.F. Husain. Husain took inspiration from Hindu culture & Indian history, remixing Western work like the Last Supper & also depicting Mother Teresa & other famous figures of his time.
Should I make part 2?