Jamini Yellow Cow Mug

Cow by Jamini Roy presents a stylized portrayal of a cow, rendered in bold lines, flat colours and precise geometric proportions. The cow’s almond-shaped eyes and tranquil expression invite a quiet sense of contemplation while the stark simplicity of the background draws focus to the animal’s form. With minimal elements, the painting captures the essence of Roy’s approach - distilling subjects to their purest shapes, without losing their emotional depth.

Jamini Roy (1887–1972), one of the ‘Navratnas’ of Indian art, abandoned his Western academic roots to reconnect with indigenous artistic traditions. Immersing himself in the folk art of Bengal, he fused age-old aesthetics with a contemporary vision, forever changing the trajectory of modern Indian art. The National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi recognizes him as “one of the most significant modernists of 20th-century Indian art."

Jamini Roy (1887-1972), born in Beliatore, a district in West Bengal is known for his significant contribution to the rise of contemporary modern art in India. He studied at the Government College of Art, Calcutta (present-day Kolkata), graduating with a Diploma in Fine Art. His work was inspired by Kalighat Patachitra and is categorised by refined lines, opaque colours, and calligraphic brush drawings, creating a unique style.

His work has been exhibited in museums across the world - the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi and the Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida, amongst many others. He has won several awards, including the Padma Bhushan and became the first Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi, the highest distinction of fine art.

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