Painting

The study of a parrot with foliage is executed in a wash technique which gives an atmosphere of space and timelessness. The image is painted on a postcard which was sent by the artist to Roop Krishna Esq and postmarked Calcutta 21 April 1924. The message on the reverse reads: "My dear Rup, I wish you all Happy New Year, yours sincerely A.Tagore."

Abanindranath Tagore (1871-1951) was the pioneer and leading exponent of the Bengal School of Art. In his paintings, he sought to counter the influence of Western art as taught in art schools under the British Raj, by modernizing indigenous Moghul and Rajput traditions. His work became so influential that it was eventually accepted and regarded as a national Indian style. Later, studying Japanese art under Japanese artists, Taikoan and Hilsida, Abanindranath assimilated Far Eastern techniques such as the wash into his work.