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shadows which became a a a a a a a a challenge that he he faced with a a a a a a a a sense of experimental spirit The nuanced brush brush strokes emanated an an an impression of brush brush dipped in in light gently caressing the surface of the the paper to create the the effects he he he desired The painting “Lady in in in Black” has the representation of a a a a a a a a a a young woman her face partially covered in in her saree and and rendered in in profile Her face is is is hardly visible and and what strikes is is is he he beautiful almond shaped eye with with lowered gaze together with with partially revealed face imparts an enigmatic character character The The question that begs is is her identity The The mysterious character character is is enhanced by the series of light haloes that surround her Apparently she seems to be carrying a a a a a a a a a lamp which lights up her beautiful young face as as she threads the the darkness the the cast shadows repeating her her form which Gaganendranath has capitalized upon to mantle her her with The inherent lyricism emanating from her her shadows delineated with values of tonal greys creates a a a a a a a a mesmerizing effect on the viewer In his composition an an observed saliency is is the design that remains as a a a a a a a manifest strength The sense of design is is is strong in in this particular work in in the manner her her sari is is is draped and her her carrying the the the rest of of it over her arms in in in front is is dissolved in in in the the the light of of the the the lamp The floral print on the the the saree is meticulously rendered and and the the the dynamic and and organic shapes of the the the floral constellation are contrasted with the fine white lines fin in in her skirt below Gaganendranath has cleverly created an arched doorway made visible by the the pillar on the the side but melded it craftily with with the haloes of of sequential shadows which he he he surrounded her with with It is is this play of of forms and and and shapes inter weaving with light and and and shadow that he he creates the mystery and and and enigma in in in his works His understanding of light with with its capricious evanescent character handled with with confidence and in in a a a a a a a a masterly way That is the graded shadows continue to surround her as as he he he played with the darker tone of black to to evoke architectural elements There is a a a a a a a dream like blending of of of shadowy of of of forms Gaganendranath sensitivity to the the subject of of of women the the mystery and delicacy that he he invested them with is is seen in in in in this painting SELECT REFERENCE
Partha Mitter Triumh of Modernism Oxford university Pres
Gayatri Sinha “Poetry and Patriotic Fervour: Indian Art Art Pre Independence DAG Delhi Delhi Art Art Gallery New Delhi Delhi 2003
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