About Artist:
Ramkinkar Baij (1906–1980) was a pioneering Indian sculptor and painter, widely regarded as a key figure in modern Indian art. Born in Bankura, West Bengal, he studied and taught at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose. Known for his expressive style and dynamic open-air concrete sculptures.he was especially known for depicting the Santhal tribal community of Bengal. Baij used humble materials like cement, laterite, and gunny cloth to capture the raw vitality of rural life and human emotion. For his groundbreaking contribution to Indian art, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 1970.
About Art:
Binodini is a striking oil portrait painted on cheap gunny cloth. Its subject, Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi (also known as Princess Wangolsana or simply Binodini), was an acclaimed Manipuri princess, writer, sculptor, and cultural activist. While studying at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan, she formed a close bond with Baij, who created several paintings and sculptures of her. In this seated artwork, thick, layered paint gives her slim figure a tactile, three-dimensional depth. Baij caught her expression with great tenderness, bringing out her quiet beauty while capturing the delicate inner emotional conflict she was experiencing. It stands out as one of his most outstanding and moving masterpieces.
The modern Indian portrait Binodini is a widely acknowledged masterpiece created by the eminent 20th century artist Ramkinkar Baij. Best known for his innovative modernist sculptures, Baij showcases his remarkable ability to manipulate textures on canvas through his portrayal of a captivating close-up of a young sitting woman. This woman is elegantly dressed in a saree and has her dark hair flowing over her shoulder while looking deeply into the viewer's eyes with a thoughtful and serious face. In terms of composition, the portrait lacks delicate lines and features highly textured strokes, a vibrant earthy color range that brings amazing sculptural elements into the portrayal. It is through such an avant-garde method that the painting becomes a landmark of Indian modernism.
