National Gallery of Modern Art-Parikraman

Nandalal Bose

A Sketch from Album No. 87 9226 Nandalal Bose Pen & Ink on postcard

Nandalal had a strong affinity for sketching, his subjects being the surrounding environs, people in their everyday life or anything that he found fascinating. His firm belief that for the creation of art an intimate understanding of the nature and its ways is imperative. The range of Nandalal's artistic expression can be seen in the changing Indian landscapes, his varied images of nature and the portrayal of people and places. Dinkar Kowshik in his article 'Drawings and Sketches of Nandalal in the book, "Nandalal Bose - A collection of Essays" has written of Nandalal's sketches and drawings - "Much of his (Nandalal) strength and sensitive wealth finds expression in the spontaneity of his sketches. They are a veritable treasure of shrewd observation, powerful calligraphy, psychological insight, rich sallies of humour and emphatic portrayal of the flora and fauna." In this particular sketch the fluid handling of the line and their strong delineation in the calligraphic style adds grace and spirit to the form of the woman carrying earthen pots. The folds of the drapes, the careful gait as she balances the pots, the choppy surface of the trunk of the date tree are details that have been keenly observed by the artist in the sketch.