National Gallery of Modern Art-Parikraman

Nandalal Bose

A Sketch from Album No. 84 9170 Nandalal Bose Pen & Ink on postcard

Foregoing the wash technique propounded by Bengal School where the elements of form and colour dissolves into a pale atmosphere, Nandalal developed his own individualistic style with an emphasis on line with their solidity of structure. Nandalal employed simple lines drawn with fluid and spontaneous strokes and brought out effectively the true form of the homeless emaciated dog. Sonya Rhie Quintanilla in the book, 'Rhythms of India: The Art of Nandalal Bose' discusses Nandalal in terms of the transitions he took in his artistic journey, she says, 'As early as 1914 Nandalal was breaking away from the atmospheric wash paintings of the Bengal school and taking a keen interest in line drawing....The artists of Bengal school, led by Abanindranath Tagore, de-emphasized drawing and contour lines in general in their efforts to infuse a sense of spirituality and emotion through the use of colour in their works. Nandalal was revolutionary in asserting the importance of drawing to the artist's practice of grasping the essence and creative rhythm of the subject.'