When Did Modern Art Start in India?

Art|Modern Art

Modern art in India had its beginnings at the end of the 19th century when Indian artists began to experiment with the techniques of European modernism. This period saw a vibrant emergence and development of modern art in India, with artists like Rabindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher-Gil, Abanindranath Tagore, and others leading the way.

The Bengal School of Art was one of the earliest proponents of modern art in India. Founded in 1906 by Abanindranath Tagore, it was one of the first schools that embraced European modernist techniques such as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.

The school was influential in introducing Indian themes, motifs, and aesthetics into these western forms. This fusion created a unique style that became known as Indian Modernism.

Abanindranath Tagore was a key figure in developing this style and is widely regarded as the father of modern Indian painting. He was an advocate for combining traditional Indian painting styles with western techniques. He also encouraged young Indians to study abroad in Europe to gain knowledge about modern art movements such as Cubism and Surrealism.

The Progressive Artists Group was another important movement that emerged during this period. Founded in 1947 by F N Souza and other prominent artists like K H Ara, S H Raza, M F Husain, Tyeb Mehta, Badri Narayan and Akbar Padamsee; they sought to promote contemporary Indian art that had an international appeal. This group represented a radical departure from traditional Indian art forms and instead focused on expressing their creative vision through abstract painting techniques.

The 1950s witnessed an explosion of creativity among modern Indian artists who sought to break away from tradition while embracing new forms such as Pop Art and Minimalism. Among these were prominent figures such as Bhupen Khakhar, Anish Kapoor, Vivan Sundaram, Gulammohammed Sheikh and Tyeb Mehta.

Conclusion: Modern art in India has come a long way since its inception at the end of the 19th century when artists began experimenting with European modernist techniques. With seminal figures like Abanindranath Tagore leading the way, it has now evolved into an incredibly diverse movement encompassing many different styles from Pop Art to Minimalism.