Who supported Abanindranath Tagore and was critical of colonial Art Schools, advocating for a new type of painting that was Indian in both subject matter and style?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → E. B. Havell
Option (1) Raja Ravi Varma — Incorrect. Ravi Varma worked in the academic style, which nationalists later looked down upon as too western.
Option (2) Jamini Roy — Incorrect. Jamini Roy left his academic training for the flat, colourful style of village folk painting.
Option (3) Nandalal Bose — Incorrect. Nandalal Bose was a student of Abanindranath, who later headed the painting department at Kala Bhavana.
Option (4) E. B. Havell — Correct. Havell, principal of the Calcutta School of Art, supported Abanindranath. Both were critical of colonial Art Schools.
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.…” |