Drawing

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. This sketch is one of a series in the V&A collection.

The work depicts the head and shoulders study of a woman wearing a sari within a rectangular frame. The overall composition recalls western studies of the Madonna. The artist has depicted the woman with fish eyes, a characteristic of Jamini's work. The woman's right hand is raised while her small mouth is making a sharp contortion of the face.