Biswanath Mukherji Profile
Biswanath Mukherji was born in Varanasi on the 16th of July 1921. He left his home at the age of 17, against the wishes of his parents, to study at the Lucknow College of Arts under Asit Kumar Haldar. He was inspired by the Neo Bengal School’s bright luminous landscapes and he painted these in a bijou way inspired by Bireshwar Sen, thereby creating his own identity.
Technique
With the help of a large flat brush, wet with water, Mukherji blurred the painted surface creating a misty appearance. After an application of colour, he submerged the painting in water, causing the colours to dilute and spread further. He then applied another layer of colour, re-submerged the painting and repeated with alternate dips and application of colour, which caused the pigment to fuse and merge. “The wash watercolour technique, that I use, makes the subject blend gently with the background as boundaries melt away; creating an effect that is mysterious and alluring”. This is how Biswanath Mukherji explained his fascination for a technique, of which he was perhaps the last exponent. Mukherji was so dedicated to the wash watercolour technique that he never deviated to other mediums. He explored all possible combinations of the wash technique, applying it to various themes ranging from 'Devi' images to expressionistic and sternly futuristic abstractions. In this collection you will see superb examples of the Neo Bengal School; tight compositions from frame to frame with lines washed loosely in water. When executed, it clearly emphasises the subject.
Accomplishments
Mukherji successfully integrated Western modernism with Eastern mysteriousness, a style perfected by the Neo-Bengal School to which he belonged. Besides being a painter, he was also a sculptor, printmaker and a designer. In 1950, Mukherji was appointed the Principal of the Government College of Art and Architecture in Hyderabad. He later moved to Delhi where he headed the College of Arts until his retirement. Some of his finest paintings can be found in the collections of the Indian princely states in North and South India.
As a student and a professional artist, Biswanath Mukherji won more than 40 prizes and awards from notable institutions in India and abroad. He served in many Institutions and Colleges of Art as the Principal and Director. From 1948 to 1983 he also exhibited at various places in India and in many countries worldwide, including the Royal Academy in London, Russia, Berlin, Kabul, Cairo, USA, China, Australia and Tokyo. He has to his credit the rare privilege of being a Fellow of the Royal Academy, London (1951-1961) and a Member of the Ancient Monuments Society, England (1956-1961). Mukherji was also among the few artists commissioned to execute four mural designs for the Exhibition of Human Rights at UNESCO in Paris (1949). He has also decorated the walls of the Parliament House of independent India. In 1976 Biswanath Mukherji was honoured with the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award for his contribution to fine arts.
Technique
With the help of a large flat brush, wet with water, Mukherji blurred the painted surface creating a misty appearance. After an application of colour, he submerged the painting in water, causing the colours to dilute and spread further. He then applied another layer of colour, re-submerged the painting and repeated with alternate dips and application of colour, which caused the pigment to fuse and merge. “The wash watercolour technique, that I use, makes the subject blend gently with the background as boundaries melt away; creating an effect that is mysterious and alluring”. This is how Biswanath Mukherji explained his fascination for a technique, of which he was perhaps the last exponent. Mukherji was so dedicated to the wash watercolour technique that he never deviated to other mediums. He explored all possible combinations of the wash technique, applying it to various themes ranging from 'Devi' images to expressionistic and sternly futuristic abstractions. In this collection you will see superb examples of the Neo Bengal School; tight compositions from frame to frame with lines washed loosely in water. When executed, it clearly emphasises the subject.
Accomplishments
Mukherji successfully integrated Western modernism with Eastern mysteriousness, a style perfected by the Neo-Bengal School to which he belonged. Besides being a painter, he was also a sculptor, printmaker and a designer. In 1950, Mukherji was appointed the Principal of the Government College of Art and Architecture in Hyderabad. He later moved to Delhi where he headed the College of Arts until his retirement. Some of his finest paintings can be found in the collections of the Indian princely states in North and South India.
As a student and a professional artist, Biswanath Mukherji won more than 40 prizes and awards from notable institutions in India and abroad. He served in many Institutions and Colleges of Art as the Principal and Director. From 1948 to 1983 he also exhibited at various places in India and in many countries worldwide, including the Royal Academy in London, Russia, Berlin, Kabul, Cairo, USA, China, Australia and Tokyo. He has to his credit the rare privilege of being a Fellow of the Royal Academy, London (1951-1961) and a Member of the Ancient Monuments Society, England (1956-1961). Mukherji was also among the few artists commissioned to execute four mural designs for the Exhibition of Human Rights at UNESCO in Paris (1949). He has also decorated the walls of the Parliament House of independent India. In 1976 Biswanath Mukherji was honoured with the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award for his contribution to fine arts.