Abanindranath Tagore: His Early Work

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Author: Ramendranath Chakravorty

Publisher: Indian Museum

Page: 52

Illustration: 16 color Illustrations

Edition: 2006

Size: 11.0 Inch X 9.0 Inch

Cover: Hardcover

It is a great pleasure to have the opportunity of announcing that one of the most significant publications of the Indian Museum is reappearing before the present generation of art-lovers. This Publication was like an offering to the Shilpacharya Abanindranath Tagore by his eminent disciples and close admirers. As stated by the editor of the anthology, it presents some of his early paintings. Including two murals. The Contributions, leading painters and connoisseurs of Indian art, have presented their appraisal of the Shilpacharya’s Contribution in the emergence of modern Indian art both as a creative genius and as a founder of a trend of painting. Now well marked in the history of Indian art as Neo-Bengal school.

The Paintings presented in the monograph are, to my humble understanding, to be valued more as historical land marks than as the representatives of the Master’s oeuvre. Abanindranath, who initiated the school with the spirit of a nationalist during the turmoiling days of protest movement against lord Karzon’s partition of Bengal with such examples as presented here, has many renewals in his painting during the following decades. It would not do proper justice to the Master if we make evaluation of him on the basis of these early paintings only, for about them he himself expressed reservation in his later life.

So I feel it is imperative to bring out a comprehensive study of the Master as a painter on the basis of his entire creations. The urgency is never felt before as of now. for the connoisseurs of modern Indian art at present showing more and more interest and enthusiasm not only in his work, but also in the works of those of his leading followers of the Neo-Bengal school.

As a member of the Board of Trustees of Indian Museum and a devotee of Indian art I most heartily thank Dr. S. K. Basu, Director of the Indian Museum and the staff of the publication section, for taking care in the reprint of this valued publication with a fresh look.