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Lot Essay
Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, in 1867, Mahadev Viswanath Dhurandhar was one of the country's most renowned academic painters and art teachers. Several art historians credit his work with sparking a transformation in the approach to and appreciation of art in India, where painting was finally regarded as a profession rather than a trade.
Between 1890 and 1895 he studied under John Griffiths at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay, where he was introduced to the Western artistic approach. Dhurandhar's style thus eloquently combines classical Western academic training with traditional Indian craftsmanship and Hindu iconography. In 1896, the year of this painting, Dhurandhar was appointed an instructor at his alma mater, and in 1910 he became one of its headmasters. Later, he became the first Indian Director of the School.
Dhurandhar specialised in portraits and figurative works that depicted various historical and mythological scenes, as well as the social traditions and customs of Hindu life, several of which were published as lithographs by the Raja Ravi Varma printing press. Apart from his works in oil and watercolour, the artist is known for his picture-postcards and illustrations, which feature in many periodicals and publications like Rothfield's 1920 volume,Women of India.
In addition to being exhibited in India, Dhurandhar's works have been shown in several international exhibitions and are part of the royal collections of Buckingham Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Bombay Art Society among other institutions. The artist also served as court painter for several princely states in the Western Deccan, creating portraits and other works for his royal patrons.
During his lifetime Dhurandhar was honoured with numerous awards, including medals from the Bombay Art Society in 1892 and 1895, a prize at the Wembley Exhibition in 1923, and the honorary title of Rao Bahadur in 1927.
Between 1890 and 1895 he studied under John Griffiths at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay, where he was introduced to the Western artistic approach. Dhurandhar's style thus eloquently combines classical Western academic training with traditional Indian craftsmanship and Hindu iconography. In 1896, the year of this painting, Dhurandhar was appointed an instructor at his alma mater, and in 1910 he became one of its headmasters. Later, he became the first Indian Director of the School.
Dhurandhar specialised in portraits and figurative works that depicted various historical and mythological scenes, as well as the social traditions and customs of Hindu life, several of which were published as lithographs by the Raja Ravi Varma printing press. Apart from his works in oil and watercolour, the artist is known for his picture-postcards and illustrations, which feature in many periodicals and publications like Rothfield's 1920 volume,Women of India.
In addition to being exhibited in India, Dhurandhar's works have been shown in several international exhibitions and are part of the royal collections of Buckingham Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Bombay Art Society among other institutions. The artist also served as court painter for several princely states in the Western Deccan, creating portraits and other works for his royal patrons.
During his lifetime Dhurandhar was honoured with numerous awards, including medals from the Bombay Art Society in 1892 and 1895, a prize at the Wembley Exhibition in 1923, and the honorary title of Rao Bahadur in 1927.