Srimati Tagore

Acquired directly from the artist by Leonard Elmhirst of Dartington Hall

Srimati Tagore was a pupil at Santiniketan, hailing from Gujarat. She studied painting under Nandalal Bose, 'Nanda Babu' as he was known to his students; music under Dina Babu, a longtime collaborator of the Tagore family's performances, and dancing, where she excelled. Over the years, Srimati became an accomplished dancer, travelling widely throughout India and Europe, and became one of the dancers Rabindranath requested to interpret some of his work.

The current lot is an example of the talent that flourished at Santiniketan, and the Bengal School of Art style that revolutionised Indian painting. Srimati depicts her love for dance in the illustration of dancers and musicians performing together underneath the trees, perhaps a frequent occurrence at Santiniketan. She also depicts the baby Krishna surrounded by gopis. He holds a piece of fruit from the basket behind, recalling the well-known story of Krishna and the fruit-seller. Moreover, Srimati's representation of gopis engaged in housework, shows the important, often overlooked, daily life of women in domestic spaces.

In 1978, Srimati established the Hutheesing Visual Art Centre in Ahmedabad to promote arts and culture, particularly tribal artists. Painting, sculpture and performing arts are showcased in their large gallery space and open air amphitheater. Srimati left an enduring legacy that ensures artistic exhibition and experimentation in her home state.