Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Benode Behari-Mukherjee
Biography
Benode Behari Mukherjee, born on February 7, 1904, in Behala, Kolkata, emerged as a pioneering figure in Indian modern art and a key proponent of Contextual Modernism. His life and work spanned a period of significant cultural and artistic transitions in India, making him an instrumental figure in the evolution of modern Indian art. Despite facing severe visual impairments from an early age, Mukherjee's indomitable spirit and innovative approach to art left an indelible mark on the Indian art landscape.
Mukherjee's early life was marked by challenges due to his poor eyesight, which eventually led to complete blindness in his later years. However, his passion for art was undeterred. At the age of thirteen, he joined the school founded by Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan, where he was profoundly influenced by the pedagogical methods and artistic vision of Tagore and his art teacher, Nandalal Bose. Mukherjee's education at Santiniketan's Kala Bhavan was not just an artistic training but a holistic engagement with the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual heritage of India, which deeply influenced his artistic philosophy.
Mukherjee was one of the earliest artists in modern India to explore murals as a significant mode of artistic expression. His murals, characterized by a subtle understanding of environmental and architectural nuances, were not mere decorative elements but narratives that encapsulated the ethos of the spaces they adorned. His most celebrated mural, created in the Hindi Bhavan at Santiniketan, depicted the lives of medieval saint-poets, weaving together a rich tapestry of India's spiritual and cultural heritage.
Throughout his career, Mukherjee experimented with a wide range of mediums, including tempera, watercolor, oil, woodcut, paper collage, pastel, and more. His style was a complex fusion of idioms absorbed from Western modern art and the spirituality of oriental traditions, including influences from calligraphy and traditional wash techniques of China and Japan. Mukherjee's work was marked by a unique visual vocabulary that seamlessly blended Indian and international techniques and practices, making him a modernist with a deeply rooted sense of cultural identity.
Despite the severe limitation of losing his eyesight completely in 1957, Mukherjee's creative spirit found new avenues of expression. He turned to paper collages, prints, and sculpture, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and resilience. His later works, especially the paper collages, are a testament to his ability to transcend physical limitations and continue to engage with the visual world through memory and touch.
Mukherjee's contributions to Indian art were not limited to his own creative output. As a teacher at Kala Bhavan, he influenced generations of artists, including prominent figures like Satyajit Ray, K.G. Subramanyan, and Somnath Hore. His pedagogical approach was characterized by an emphasis on learning from the environment, exploring a wide range of materials and techniques, and developing a personal style that was both modern and deeply rooted in Indian traditions.
Throughout his life, Mukherjee received numerous accolades for his contributions to art, including the Padma Vibhushan in 1974, one of India's highest civilian awards. His works are part of prestigious collections worldwide, including the Tate Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.
Benode Behari Mukherjee passed away on November 11, 1980, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world of art. His life and work stand as a beacon of creativity, resilience, and a profound understanding of the cultural and spiritual heritage of India. Mukherjee's artistic journey, marked by innovation, exploration, and an unwavering commitment to his vision, remains a seminal chapter in the history of modern Indian art.
Benode Behari-Mukherjee Quotes
and Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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