Closed
Lot 28
HEMENDRANATH MAZUMDER (1894-1948)
ASN0019
Auction Type: live
A) Portrait of Abanindranath Tagore drawn on personal letter head
coloured chalk on paper
Signed lower right and addressed to Abanindranath Tagore; dated 14th July 1941, Calcutta.
10 x 11.5 in
B) Personal hand-print with red ink on paper
Signed lower right in Bengali and addressed to Hemendranath; dated 12th June 1942
8 x 12.5 in
coloured chalk on paper
Signed lower right and addressed to Abanindranath Tagore; dated 14th July 1941, Calcutta.
10 x 11.5 in
B) Personal hand-print with red ink on paper
Signed lower right in Bengali and addressed to Hemendranath; dated 12th June 1942
8 x 12.5 in
Estimate: ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000
Details
These two works (offered as a single lot) are a striking record of goodwill and admiration shared between two of the leading artists of Bengal, Abanindranath Tagore and Hemendranath Mazumdar.
Though they differed considerably in temperament and artistic styles, Hemendranath had high regard for Abanindranath who was older by age and experience to him. While Abanindranath established the Neo-Bengal School with disciples like Nandalal Bose, Kshitindranath Mazumdar, Asit Kumar Haldar, Mukul Dey and K. Venkatappa (among others); Hemendranath remained committed to the ideals of European academic style.
In 28(a) we see a portrait of Abanindranath reverently drawn by Hemendranath in coloured chalk, a medium which he had mastered, as is evident by the glowing likeness to the great master. Below the portrait he writes in flowing English to express his gratitude for a previous compliment bestowed on him by Abanindranth. 28(b) is dated just about a year later and has Abanindranath’s hand impression in red ink. On top left of the paper he sends his blessings (in Bengali) and signs his name at the lower right end. It is an old Bengali custom to have hand and feet print marks of revered elders in one’s house as a remembrance of their blessing.
Though they differed considerably in temperament and artistic styles, Hemendranath had high regard for Abanindranath who was older by age and experience to him. While Abanindranath established the Neo-Bengal School with disciples like Nandalal Bose, Kshitindranath Mazumdar, Asit Kumar Haldar, Mukul Dey and K. Venkatappa (among others); Hemendranath remained committed to the ideals of European academic style.
In 28(a) we see a portrait of Abanindranath reverently drawn by Hemendranath in coloured chalk, a medium which he had mastered, as is evident by the glowing likeness to the great master. Below the portrait he writes in flowing English to express his gratitude for a previous compliment bestowed on him by Abanindranth. 28(b) is dated just about a year later and has Abanindranath’s hand impression in red ink. On top left of the paper he sends his blessings (in Bengali) and signs his name at the lower right end. It is an old Bengali custom to have hand and feet print marks of revered elders in one’s house as a remembrance of their blessing.
Notes
Lot 28 (b): National Art Treasure / Non Exportable
