Jamini Roy

Jamini Roy is one the most iconic figures of Modern Indian art of the mid-20^th Century. He developed a personal painting style inspired majorly by his Indian roots that is folk and village art,

Roy was born in year 1887in Beliator Village in Bankura District of Bengal. He later on went to study art from Government College of Art where he was mentored by Abanindranath Tagore who is famous for his valuable contribution in the field of Art.

Jamini Roy began his career as a portrait painter he eventually shifted to Bengali folk art. A strong connection to its Indian roots is clearly visible in his body of work. His early art pieces reflect the influences of the early Bengal painting which later on changed to everyday life of rural Bengal. His style also incorporated the lives of Santhals. His subjects mainly consisted of popular Bazaar Scenes, deities and every day scenes of people.  

Use of bold brushstroke and vibrant color palette not only brings out the life of its subjects but also gives a sense of calm and simplicity for its viewer. Greatly inspired by his native roots he portrayed all his subjects with utmost brilliance. He also abandoned the use of European paints in favor of natural mineral and vegetable-based pigments made from alluvial muds, seeds, powered rock, flowers.

His paintings became the first Indian paintings to be displayed at British street in Kolkata. With art being his only concern the artist remained untouched by all the fame and recognition throughout his life. In his lifetime he produced over 20,000 works of which he rarely sold anything higher than Rs. 350.  His works highly appreciated and renowned within India and abroad.