Not on display

Painting

1922 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The card depicts a study of a landscape with butterfly. The watercolour is executed in a wash technique which gives an atmosphere of space and timelessness. The image is painted on a postcard which was sent by the artist to Roop Krishna Esq. The message on the reverse reads: "My dear Rup, thank you for your P.C. wish you a happy new year. Yours sincerely A.Tagore."

Abanindranath Tagore (1871-1951) was the pioneer and leading exponent of the Bengal School of Art. In his paintings, he sought to counter the influence of Western art as taught in art schools under the British Raj, by modernizing indigenous Moghul and Rajput traditions. His work became so influential that it was eventually accepted and regarded as a national Indian style. Later, studying Japanese art under Japanese artists, Taikoan and Hilsida, Abanindranath assimilated Far Eastern techniques such as the wash into his work.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Painted in watercolour on cardboard
Brief description
Painting, landscape, by Abanindranath Tagore, watercolour on postcard, Bengal, probably 1922
Physical description
Painting, in watercolour on postcard, depicting a study of a landscape with butterfly and a flowering shrub. The watercolour is executed in a wash technique which gives an atmosphere of space and timelessness. The image is painted on a postcard which was sent by the artist to Roop Krishna Esq. The message on the reverse reads: "My dear Rup, thank you for your P.C. wish you a happy new year. Yours sincerely A.Tagore." Postmarked 17 April 1922.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.7cm
  • Width: 8.7cm
  • Conservation paper upon which card is mounted height: 20.3cm
  • Conservation paper upon which card is mounted width: 14.4cm
Content description
Landscape with butterfly and flowering shrub.
Style
Object history
Purchase. RF 84/866. Purchased on behalf of the V&A by Indar Pasricha from Sotheby's on 18-04-84 together with I.S. 123 to 129 - 1984.
Subjects depicted
Summary
The card depicts a study of a landscape with butterfly. The watercolour is executed in a wash technique which gives an atmosphere of space and timelessness. The image is painted on a postcard which was sent by the artist to Roop Krishna Esq. The message on the reverse reads: "My dear Rup, thank you for your P.C. wish you a happy new year. Yours sincerely A.Tagore."

Abanindranath Tagore (1871-1951) was the pioneer and leading exponent of the Bengal School of Art. In his paintings, he sought to counter the influence of Western art as taught in art schools under the British Raj, by modernizing indigenous Moghul and Rajput traditions. His work became so influential that it was eventually accepted and regarded as a national Indian style. Later, studying Japanese art under Japanese artists, Taikoan and Hilsida, Abanindranath assimilated Far Eastern techniques such as the wash into his work.
Bibliographic reference
Dr Ratan Parimoo, The paintings of the three great Tagores: Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore and Rabindranath Tagore. Chronology and comparative studies, 1973
Collection
Accession number
IS.129-1984

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Record createdJanuary 22, 2009
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