Who Started Modern Art in India?

Art|Modern Art

Modern art in India began with the modernist movement at the end of the 19th century. This movement, which was largely inspired by European modernism, focused on breaking from traditional Indian art forms to create a new style of art that was more reflective of the changing times. The first wave of modern Indian artists included Abanindranath Tagore, who established the Bengal School of Art and is credited with kickstarting the modernist movement in India.

The Bengal School of Art was influential in shaping Indian modernism, as it provided a platform for young artists to explore new ideas and techniques. Tagore sought to create a style that combined traditional Indian aesthetics with Western influences, infusing them with elements from Mughal miniature painting and Rajput painting. This combination of old and new styles became known as the Bengal School style, which was extremely influential in establishing Indian Modernism.

Another influential artist during this period was Amrita Sher-Gil, who is often credited as being India’s first modern artist. Sher-Gil studied abroad in Paris and then returned to India to paint scenes of everyday life in rural India. Her works were notable for their vibrant colors and expressive brush strokes, which helped to establish her as one of the foremost figures in Indian Modernism.

The emergence of modern art coincided with the beginning of India’s independence movement, which brought about a renewed interest in Indian culture and identity. As such, many contemporary Indian artists have sought to explore themes related to identity through their work. Artists like Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher have become renowned for their explorations into what it means to be an Indian today, while other artists like Atul Dodiya have pushed boundaries by incorporating found objects into their work.

Modern art has had an immense impact on how we see contemporary India today; it has allowed us to explore our identity as individuals within a collective society while also providing us with a platform for expressing our views on important social issues such as poverty and inequality. Through its exploration into traditional forms combined with progressive ideas, modern art has helped shape how we perceive ourselves today – both socially and culturally – while also providing us with incredible visual representations of our history and culture that will inspire generations to come.

In conclusion, Abanindranath Tagore is widely accepted as having started modern art in India at the end of the 19th century when he established the Bengal School of Art – although Amrita Sher-Gil is often credited as being India’s first modern artist due to her innovative use of colour and expressionistic brush strokes when she returned home after studying abroad in Paris. Since then numerous other artists have continued to push boundaries by exploring themes related to identity or incorporating found objects into their work – proving just how powerful this form of expression can be when used effectively.