Meeting at the Staircase

To truly appreciate the beauty of this artwork, it is necessary to recall the artist associated with it. The pioneer of cubism in India and well renowned for his satirical artworks, Gaganendranath Tagore was one of the most important figures in the realm of artwork in colonial India. He was a pivotal figure in the cultural revival in Bengal in along with his uncle Rabindranath Tagore, and brother Abanindranath Tagore in the early twentieth century. Tagore was a self-taught artist, deeply inspired by the wash technique and calligraphic brushwork of Japanese artists, Yokoyama Taikan and Hishida Shunsho who visited Santiniketan. In his initial days, he rendered landscapes, portraits, sketches, daily scenes of Calcutta. He also published several cartoons which were social satires aimed at the society of Bengal. This artwork titled ‘Meeting at the Staircase’ is one of Tagore’s many artworks from 1922 onwards wherein he made semi- abstract compositions in which architectural elements and the portrayal of light were important elements that added a sense of mystery. Here, in a dimly illuminated interior scene, two women clad in sarees meet on the landing of a stairway that seems to be leading up nowhere. There is another staircase on the top left corner. Their simplified and almost shadow-like forms create a mysterious and contemplative atmosphere. In the background, architectural elements such as curved arches, geometric motifs, and a balcony-like structure are depicted. A small and brightly lit rectangular object can be seen on the bottom right corner which contrasts with the darkness surrounding the rest of the composition. The restricted brownish palette used by Tagore, the strong contrasts of light and shadow, and stylized forms of the women and architectural elements provides a dreamlike and theatrical feel to the composition and calls upon the viewers to render their own narrations to the image. It can be noted that Tagore also drew some inspiration from European modernism. Overall, through the implementation of dark tones throughout the composition, Tagore has weaved a touch of mystery into this image. His artworks are also unique in that he painted for personal pleasure and not as a patronised artist.