What was E. B. Havell’s position when he supported Abanindranath Tagore?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A British administrator and principal of the Calcutta School of Art
Option (1) A British administrator and principal of the Bombay School of Art — Incorrect. The Bombay School of Art had Gladstone Solomon as its Principal. His students, trained in realistic studies, got the mural project for Lutyen’s Delhi buildings.
Option (2) A British administrator and principal of the Calcutta School of Art — Correct. Havell was a British administrator and principal of the Calcutta School of Art.
Option (3) A British administrator and principal of the Lahore School of Art — Incorrect. Lahore had an art school too, but its main focus was on crafts like metalwork, furniture and curios. Havell was linked with the Calcutta school.
Option (4) Head of the painting department at Kala Bhavana, Shantiniketan — Incorrect. This post went to Nandalal Bose, a student of Abanindranath, on the invitation of Rabindranath Tagore.
NCERT (2026-27): “The Bengal School …Abanindranath enjoyed the support of British administrator and principal of the Calcutta School of Art, E. B. Havell (1861–1934). Both Abanindranath and Havell were critical of colonial Art Schools and the manner in which European taste in art was being imposed on Indians. They firmly believed in creating a new type of painting that was Indian not only in subject matter but also in style.…” |