According to art historian Ratatn Parimoo, it belongs to the 'Pilgrims' series done before 1915. The painting shows a group of figures thronging before an open door. The work points to some of the characteristic traits in Gaganendranath's visual language that expressed them in a distinctive idiom. One must observe carefully the semi-abstract treatment, the predominance of architectural elements, the sensitive play of light and shadows, all evoking a sense of mystery. The inscription mentions, signed and dated 'G.T. // 1/1/24' in English at the bottom left corner of the painting with pen.
- Identifier
- ngma-00969
- Material
- Wash, Tempera, Paper
- Note
- Born to the family of Tagore's of Jorasanko, Kolkata, Gaganendranath was the elder brother of Abanindranath Tagore. With little formal training in art Gaganendranath began painting at an advanced age. He was inspired by the calligraphic brushwork and the wash technique of the visiting Japanese artists, Yokoyama Taikan and Hishida Shunsho. In the early 20's of the Twentieth century, Gaganendranath responded positively to the European modernist idiom. He began painting seriously when he started illustrating his uncle Rabindranath Tagore's autobiography in 1911. Gaganendranath like his younger brother Abanindranath and uncle Rabindranath had a wide range of interests that covered theatre, fantasy and the like. He also practiced photography and this can be seen in the use of light and shadows in his paintings. From 1917 onwards he did a series of satirical caricatures of changes taking place in the society of his times. Many of his paintings were referred to as 'cubist' because of the division of the figures and ground into geometrical planes. Gaganendranath painted portraits, landscapes, caricatures, abstract and 'cubist' paintings.
- Pages
- 23 x 26.7 cm
- Published in
- India
- Type
- Painting
