6 most famous and iconic paintings by Indian artists

While discussing some of the most beautiful paintings in the world and appreciating foreign artists we often forget the talents and masterpieces that India has produced. Be it dance, sculpture, paintings, or embroideries, we have a name that shone in the respective field. With time and as more people came forward who appreciated art, poetry, and paintings, the masterpieces created by Indian artists came into the limelight more and more. Each canvas they painted on told a unique story which left the audience wondering and awestruck
So, in the spirit of appreciating Indian paintings and artists, here we list 6 of the most iconic artworks.

Raja Ravi Varma is often called the father of modern Indian art. One of his amazing masterpieces is the ‘Lady in the Moonlight’. This beautiful and enchanting painting is of a woman who sits on a river shore and her face glows in the moonlight. Her face is one of grace and beauty and her eyes look through you as if she is searching for someone. Ravi Varma’s skillful use of colors and attention to detail brought this piece to life. Plus, the more you look at the woman, especially her eyes, the more you will realize that she forever waits for someone as if you are not the one she was expecting.

More of Raja Ravi Verma’s paintings can be seen in National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi and the Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram.

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)

One of the most multi-talented men in India is without a doubt Shri Rabindranath Tagore. He is a renowned poet, philosopher, and a Nobel laureate. But, not many are aware that he was also a gifted artist. Many of his paintings have been displayed in the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi and among them all, his ‘Self-Portrait’ stands as evidence of his many talents and accomplishments. Through bold, expressive strokes and confused expression, Tagore’s self-portrait captures a sense of introspection, inviting viewers into his inner world. And unarguably, if you look at the portrait, you too will stand in silence for some time debating with yourself what Tagore must have thought before drawing it.

(Image: Museum of Arts and Photography/Google Arts)

Iconic painter and artist, Amrita Sher-Gil is known for her emotional and bold artistic talent– especially her portraits of other humans and herself. Amrita created her masterpiece titled ‘Sumair’, which is a painting of one of her cousins. Her mastery of portraying human emotions is evident in this painting.

(Image: National Gallery of Modern Art/Google Arts)

Abanindranath Tagore, although famously known as the nephew of Rabindramath Tagore, is a great name for himself. He was a prominent figure in the Bengal School of Art and created the famous image of ‘Bharat Mata’ as a woman/ goddess with four hands. The painting showed the concept of Mother India as a woman and a country with long-flowy robes and her four hands equipped with different objects of importance. On one hand are the Vedas signifying education, while the other hand has a crop signifying food and sustenance, the third hand has a ‘Mala’ or rosary signifying spiritual nature and on the fourth she has a white cloth. His work, especially Bharat Mata, is famous as a symbol of national pride.

(Image: Wikipedia)

Tyeb Mehta’s ‘Mahishasura’ is a bold, contemporary form of art and has been interpreted by people in different ways. The most famous interpretation is the eternal struggle between good and evil. Tyeb Mehta and his art creations have had a distinctive style with bold lines, some asymmetry, and the use of unconventional colours. ‘Mahishashura’ was the depiction of the battle between the demon Mahishasura and the goddess Durga.

(Image: Artsy)

A beautiful but rather underrated painting is S. L. Haldankar’s ‘Glow of Hope’. This painting has enchanted viewers and audiences across different art galleries and even on the internet. The painting looks very real– as if the woman holding a lamp is right in front of you. The painting is of a young woman holding a traditional lamp in her hand and the other hand gently hiding the fire or glow. The beautiful use of colours and shadows has enabled Haldankar to create a painting that seems so real and the woman’s face glows with the help of the lamp she holds.

(Image: Artroom/Facebook)