| Medium | : | Gouche |
|---|---|---|
| Height | : | 18 inch / 45.7 cm |
| Width | : | 13 inch / 33 cm |
| Dimension | : | W: 33 cm × H: 45.7 cm |
An evocative Jamini Roy gouache on paper depicting a Gopini in soft earthy hues, defined by bold outlines and graceful curvilinear forms. This work captures Roy’s celebrated synthesis of folk simplicity and modernist aesthetics, making it a soulful and collectible piece.
Jamini Roy | Untitled | Gouache on Paper | 18 x 13 inches | Circa
This painting by Jamini Roy portrays a Gopini, one of the recurring subjects in his oeuvre, reflecting his deep engagement with themes from rural Bengal and Vaishnav traditions. Executed in gouache on paper, the work presents the female figure in a stylized, curvilinear form with a soft, earthy palette of browns, yellows, and muted tones. The large, almond-shaped eye, flowing contours, and minimal detailing highlight Roy’s signature approach of distilling form to its essence while preserving emotional resonance. The Gopini, often depicted in devotional or contemplative moods, here exudes quiet grace and dignity, embodying both folk simplicity and timeless elegance. The use of bold outlines against a textured ground emphasizes the spiritual and aesthetic balance characteristic of Roy’s modernist interpretation of indigenous art.
One of india’s most loved artists, Jamini Roy is remembered for forging a unique indian aesthetic for modern art by bringing together elements of traditional bengali folk art and kalighat patachitras, rendered in clean lines and earthy colours.
Born on 11 April 1887 in a landowning family in Bankura district of Bengal, Roy trained in European academic-realist painting at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Calcutta, and began his career painting landscapes and portraits.
Soon, moving away from these, he started experimenting with a more indigenous visual vocabulary. Level surfaces, flattening of design in depth, and the use of dissonant primary colours were aspects of folk painting that Roy incorporated in his work. Also, he took up the volumetric forms of the Kalighat patachitras. However, unlike the spontaneous brushwork of the traditional patuas, Roy’s lines were more restrained and precisely delineated.
Roy would paint several versions of a subject, breaking and reforming the theme over months. Turning his family into a production unit, he tried to emulate a craft-guild mode of artistic production. He painted on a wide range of themes—common people, mythological tales, Christian iconography, as well as visual characteristics of home-sewn Bengal quilts and Byzantine icons.
Roy was awarded the Viceroy’s gold medal in 1935, the Padma Bhushan in 1955, and elected a fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi in 1956. Declared a National Treasure artist in 1976, his works cannot be exported. He passed away on 24 April 1972.
If you’d prefer the artwork to arrive ready to hang, please get in touch with us to arrange framing and shipping at applicable charges.
Please note: Customs duties and import taxes may apply at your destination in accordance with your country’s regulations. Refer to our International Shipment document for guidance and support.
| Medium | |
|---|---|
| Height | |
| Width | |
| Surface | |
| Style |
