Amrita Sher Gil – “Hill Women”

The history of contemporary Indian art, set against the backdrop of over 5,000 years of artistic tradition, may seem like a mere fraction. However, its development has been remarkable despite numerous challenges. While contemporary Indian art’s characteristics largely emerged during the post-Independence period, its roots can be traced back to earlier years of the century, amidst figures like Abanindranath Tagore and the Indian renaissance, Ravi Verma and other academic realists, and the Company School following the decline of the Indian miniature tradition.

Contemporary Indian art is marked by a plurality of expressions that may initially perplex observers but becomes clearer with familiarity and study. Like their counterparts worldwide, contemporary Indian artists share a spirit of adventure and freedom in artistic expression, along with an eclectic approach to technical challenges and a high degree of individualism—a hallmark of the modern age.

Pioneers such as Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Jamini Roy, and Amrita Sher Gil are already legendary. While those who have followed may not be numerous, their contributions are substantial. The search and experimentation in Indian art continue, indicating the coming of age of the contemporary artist.

Amrita Sher Gil (1913-1941), born to a Hungarian mother and Indian father, received her education in India before leaving for Paris in 1929 to join the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts. Deeply influenced by Post-Impressionist artists like Cezanne and Gauguin, Sher Gil’s later work is particularly notable for its inspiration drawn from Indian people and landscapes. Much of her work is now housed permanently in the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.

In celebration of modern Indian paintings, the Indian Post and Telegraphs Department is pleased to release a series of four special postage stamps, commemorating the rich and diverse artistic heritage of India.