A Music Party Abanindranath Tagore Bengal, India, 1905 Watercolors on paper “A group of people sit and listen to a lady playing a sitar. The setting is that of a Mughal court, with Mughal style architecture in the background and the setting sun...

A Music Party

Abanindranath Tagore

Bengal, India, 1905

Watercolors on paper

A group of people sit and listen to a lady playing a sitar. The setting is that of a Mughal court, with Mughal style architecture in the background and the setting sun visible through the arches.

The artist, Abanindranath Tagore (1871 - 1951) was the pioneer and leading exponent of the Bengal School of Art, which flourished between 1905 and 1920. 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.

A Camel and it’s Rider Playing Kettledrums Mazar Ali Khan Delhi, India, Mughal, c. 1840 Gouache © Victoria & Albert Museum, London One of six figures, this painting likely depicts the Mughal Emperor’s ceremonial procession on the occasion of Eid.

A Camel and it’s Rider Playing Kettledrums
Mazar Ali Khan
Delhi, India, Mughal, c. 1840
Gouache
© Victoria & Albert Museum, London
One of six figures, this painting likely depicts the Mughal Emperor’s ceremonial procession on the occasion of Eid.