Christ holding the Cross
Over het werk
Jamini Roy (1887-1972) was one of the most important artists of the modern period in India, drawing on the popular and folk traditions of rural Bengal for his inspiration. He developed his own personal style which was characterised by bold lines and flat use of colour.
Verder lezen
In this work, Christ is depicted within a rectangular fram. The subject wears a tunic and is holding the cross over one shoulder and with his hands folded. The eyes are alike in size and shape but the mouth is asymmetrical with a melancholy expression. His rather short beard has in inward curve and his dark hair falls on his back. Frontally viewed, Christ appears rather flat and impassive. The face recalls typical western representations of Christ but is executed in the style of a Byzantine icon. Under the figure in ink an earlier pentimento depicting the figure of Christ can be detected. The painting is executed with a brush and is in ink. The artist developed the theme of Christ systematically during his later years. Such themes found a ready sale with Europeans and servicemen in wartime Calcutta.
Victoria and Albert Museum
