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  National Gallery of Modern Art

  Jaipur House, India

  63 works

  

  Museum detailsMap

Plan your visit to see Abanindranath Tagore →

• What is Abanindranath Tagore known for?+

  Abanindranath Tagore is known as the founder of the Bengal School. The Bengal School inaugurated a new paradigm of artistic subjectivity, marking a break from the roles that makers of art and crafts had occupied earlier, separating the artist from the artisan.
• What is Abanindranath Tagore's most famous work?+

  Abanindranath Tagore is best known for his painting *Bharat Mata* (Mother India), created in 1905^[2]. This watercolour depicts a saffron-clad woman, reminiscent of a Hindu sadhvi, holding objects symbolic of India's national aspirations. She holds a book, sheaves of rice, a piece of white cloth, and a mala (prayer beads), representing education, food, clothing, and spiritual inclination. *Bharat Mata* is one of the earliest depictions of the Indian nation as a mother figure. The image gained widespread popularity during the Swadeshi movement, a nationalist movement promoting Indian-made goods and self-sufficiency in response to British rule. Tagore's intention with *Bharat Mata* was to capture the spiritual essence of India, rather than a literal representation. The painting departs from earlier, more literal, depictions of India and instead presents an allegorical figure embodying the nation's cultural and spiritual values. Some critics suggest the work draws inspiration from traditional Indian art forms, while others see influence from Japanese wash techniques. The work remains a significant image in Indian art history and political discourse.
• What should I know about Abanindranath Tagore's prints?+

  Abanindranath Tagore (1871^[2]-1951^[2]) was an Indian artist known for his contribution to modern Indian painting. When considering purchasing a print, there are several factors to keep in mind. Original prints, such as woodcuts, engravings, or lithographs, are produced by hand by the artist. Each one is considered an original, as the artist directly creates the artwork on the plate, woodblock, or stone. These are often sold through specialist galleries. Offset reproductions, also known as posters, are created through photochemical means. Giclée prints are fine art prints made using inkjet technology. Canvas transfers involve transferring the image onto canvas, giving it the appearance of a painting. Original prints are often sold in limited editions, commanding higher prices than posters. The number of prints is limited either by the wear of the plate or by the publisher to increase the print's value. Artists often sign their prints, differentiating them from reproductions. This signature also confirms the print's authenticity and the artist's approval. The practice of numbering prints, indicating the impression number and the edition size, helps to control the market and prevent further prints after the plate has degraded.
• What style or movement did Abanindranath Tagore belong to?+

  Abanindranath Tagore is regarded as a principal figure in the Bengal School of Art. This movement emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in Calcutta, British India (now Kolkata). The Bengal School sought to counter the influence of Western art education and promote a nationalist artistic identity. Tagore's artistic approach combined elements of traditional Indian art forms, such as Mughal painting and Rajput painting, with aspects of Japanese wash painting techniques. He aimed to create a style that was both modern and distinctly Indian. His work often featured historical and mythological subjects, rendered in a soft, atmospheric manner. Some of his well-known paintings include "Bharat Mata" (Mother India), which visualised a national personification, and illustrations for Rabindranath Tagore's book "Gitanjali". Abanindranath Tagore's ideas had a considerable effect on the development of modern Indian art by encouraging a move away from academic naturalism toward indigenous aesthetics. He also established an art school in Calcutta, where he trained a generation of artists in his methods.
• What techniques or materials did Abanindranath Tagore use?+

  Abanindranath Tagore's techniques combined traditional Indian art forms with Western academic styles. He is known for his role in developing modern Indian painting. Tagore moved away from oil painting, favouring watercolour, tempera, and wash techniques. These choices allowed for a delicate, linear style. His materials were often locally sourced, reflecting a desire to promote indigenous artistic practices. His early training included European academic painting styles, which influenced his understanding of form and composition. However, he adapted these techniques to suit his own artistic vision, blending them with elements from Mughal and Rajput painting. Tagore's use of light and shadow, along with his muted colour palettes, created a distinctive, evocative style. He also experimented with different surfaces, including paper and cloth, to achieve varied textural effects.
• What was Abanindranath Tagore known for?+

  Abanindranath Tagore (1871^[2]-1951^[2]) was a leading Indian artist and writer. He is known for his contribution to Swadeshi art. This movement sought to promote indigenous artistic styles and themes in response to Western artistic influences during the British Raj. Tagore's artistic training began at the Calcutta School of Art in the 1890s. There, he studied European academic art. Later, he explored Mughal and Rajput painting traditions, integrating their aesthetics into his work. He developed a distinctive style characterised by soft washes of colour and a focus on spiritual and nationalistic subjects. Tagore's paintings often depicted scenes from Indian history, mythology, and literature. Notable works include illustrations for Rabindranath Tagore's book *Chitra*. He became principal of the Calcutta School of Art, where he influenced a generation of Indian artists. He encouraged them to find their own artistic voices rooted in Indian culture. His pupils included Nandalal Bose and Mukul Dey, who further propagated his artistic ideas. Tagore's art and teachings had a considerable effect on the development of modern Indian art.
• When did Abanindranath Tagore live and work?+

  Abanindranath Tagore was born on 7 August 1871^[2] and died on 5 December 1951^[2]. Tagore, an Indian artist, was principally associated with Calcutta. He rejected Western artistic influence, turning instead to traditional Indian art forms. In 1905^[2], Tagore began to develop his own distinct style, moving away from European naturalism. He drew inspiration from Mughal painting, as well as traditional Bengali folk art. Tagore sought to create a modern Indian aesthetic that was separate from both colonial academic art and Western modernism. His artistic practice involved integrating indigenous materials and techniques. Tagore's work is associated with the Bengal School of Art. This movement sought to promote Indian artistic nationalism. Tagore’s paintings often depicted historical or mythological subjects, rendered in a deliberately stylised manner. He also worked as an author and educator, shaping the next generation of Indian artists.
• Where can I see Abanindranath Tagore's work?+

  Abanindranath Tagore's paintings and drawings are held in several museum collections, primarily in India. The Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata has a collection of his works, documenting aspects of Indian history and culture. The Indian Museum, also in Kolkata, holds a number of his pieces as well. The Rabindra Bharati Society Museum, located at the Tagore family's ancestral home in Jorasanko, Kolkata, features a selection of Abanindranath's art, alongside that of other members of the Tagore family. This museum provides context for his artistic development and his connection to the cultural environment of Bengal. Outside India, some museums with collections of South Asian art may occasionally display his works, though they are not as commonly found in Western collections. Checking the online catalogues of major museums with Asian art holdings is a good way to find out about specific works on display. These may include institutions such as the British Museum or the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Where was Abanindranath Tagore from?+

  Abanindranath Tagore was from Calcutta, and he founded the Bengal School of Art there. He was a member of the Tagore family, and his work was influenced by Mughal painting, Japanese wash techniques, pan-Asian ideals, and Indian nationalist art historical writings. In 1896^[2], E. B. Havell, a British official and superintendent of the Calcutta School of Art, played a part in the formation of the Bengal School. Havell encouraged the study of Indian art, and his tutelage of Tagore led to a close study of Mughal paintings. Tagore's works, inspired by the miniature style, were exhibited at the Calcutta School of Art in 1900. In 1905, Tagore began teaching at the Calcutta School of Art and influenced students toward his aesthetic. The Bengal School promoted its philosophy by organising artistic groups, lectures, and exhibitions. The Indian Society of Oriental Art, formed in 1907, became a vehicle for the promotion of the Bengal School style. By 1915, the Bengal School style had become dominant in Bengal.
• Who did Abanindranath Tagore influence?+

  Abanindranath Tagore (1871^[2]-1951^[2]) founded the Bengal School, which assimilated Mughal painting styles, Japanese wash techniques, pan-Asian ideals, and Indian nationalist art historical writings. Tagore's work broke from British academic illusionism. His compositions drew inspiration from his study of the Mughal miniature. His new works were exhibited at the Calcutta School of Art in 1900^[2]. In 1903, he exhibited Mughal-themed paintings, including The Building of the Taj and The Passing of Shah Jahan. Kakuzo Okakura's arrival in 1902 brought direct Japanese art influence. In 1903, Okakura dispatched two Japanese artists to Calcutta. They continued their relationship with the Tagore family, leading Abanindranath and other Bengal School painters to develop their "wash" techniques. Tagore's Bengal School inaugurated a new paradigm of artistic subjectivity, separating the artist's role from that of the artisan. Mughal painting became central to the Bengal School. Tagore's turn toward Indian art was founded on his study of Mughal miniature paintings. He painted a variety of themes, including Hindu and Buddhist myths, Mughal subjects, and works on the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
• Who influenced Abanindranath Tagore?+

  Abanindranath Tagore, founder of the Bengal School, assimilated diverse influences. Mughal painting was a significant source; Tagore closely studied Mughal miniatures, and his works, such as "The Building of the Taj" and "The Passing of Shah Jahan", reflected this interest. Japanese wash techniques also played a role. The arrival of Kakuzo Okakura in 1902^[2] introduced Japanese art to Tagore. Subsequently, Japanese artists were dispatched to Calcutta, further influencing Tagore's techniques. E. B. Havell, superintendent of the Calcutta School of Art, encouraged the study of Indian art. He amassed a collection of Mughal paintings for students to study. Havell's anti-academic approach and emphasis on Indian teaching methods, though initially resisted, found a partner in Tagore. Additionally, some suggest that Aubrey Beardsley and other Art Nouveau artists were known to Tagore through magazine reproductions. Tagore sought a style beyond Anglo-Indian imitation, aligning with the Swadeshi movement's intentions.
• Who was Abanindranath Tagore?+

  Abanindranath Tagore (1871^[2]-1951^[2]) was a leading Indian artist and writer, and a major figure in the development of modern Indian art. He was born into the Tagore family of Jorasanko, Calcutta; his uncle was the poet Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore trained at the Calcutta School of Art in the 1890s, where he learned European academic painting styles. However, he became dissatisfied with Western artistic conventions. He sought to create a new Indian aesthetic, drawing inspiration from Mughal painting, Rajput painting, and Japanese wash techniques. This led to the development of the Bengal School of Art, which rejected both Western academic naturalism and the commercial popular styles of Indian art. His work often featured historical and mythological subjects. Important paintings include *Bharat Mata* (1905^[2]), an allegorical depiction of India as a mother figure, and his series of paintings on the life of the Buddha. Tagore also wrote extensively on art and aesthetics, and he was an influential teacher. As principal of the Calcutta School of Art, he promoted his vision of an Indian artistic modernism.