10 Most Stunning Paintings by Jamini Roy

Born in 1887, Jamini Roy pioneered Indian modernism, forging a distinctive artistic legacy.

Hailing from West Bengal, Roy initially trained in the British academic style at the Calcutta College of Art, gaining recognition for his portraits and landscapes.

However, he eschewed conventional techniques in favour of indigenous inspirations, particularly from East Asian calligraphy and Bengal’s rich folk art traditions.

In the 1920s, Roy embarked on a transformative journey, exploring rural life and adopting a simple visual style with bold lines and monochromatic palettes.

His exploration of indigenous themes intertwined with narratives from epics and folklore.

However, he also focused on the enduring bond between mother and child as well as depicting villages, rural life, and culture.

Throughout his prolific career, Jamini Roy continually experimented with form and subject matter.

By rejecting the solo creative power of the artist and promoting collaborative efforts, he sought to democratise art and make it accessible to all.

By his passing in 1972, Jamini Roy had carved a lasting legacy as one of India’s most celebrated modernist artists, gaining global recognition.  

Gopini

Gopini stands as a renowned masterpiece crafted by Jamini Roy.

It portrays a Gopini from Vrindavan in an elegant dance stance.

Roy’s distinctive style often framed his primary subjects within ornate borders adorned with motifs in the backdrop.

He employed brash paint strokes in his technique and adhered to earthly hues of Indian red, yellow ochre, cadmium green, vermillion, grey, blue, and white.

His departure from prevalent modern painting styles allowed for a significant evolution of Indian modern art.

Mahatma Gandhi

By the late 30s, Roy’s reputation was well-established, and celebrities began to flock to his home.

One of these figures was Mahatma Gandhi who was a staple in the artist’s work. 

In the early 40s, Gandhi visited him to witness firsthand the passionate and talented ascetic working in a modest home in the bustling Baghbazar neighbourhood of North Calcutta.

The late Mrs Gandhi was also one of his well-known admirers.

Dual Cats with one Crayfish

Jamini Roy is well regarded and renowned for his profound portrayals of various themes using strong lines.

He would have included animal elements, dancing, and musical and vocal reflections. He painted realistic scenes with artistic flair.

In this piece, as outlined by Soma Ghosh for India Art Review:

“A rare subject where we see two cats holding to a lobster/crayfish, probably as a bounty.”

“This might be to depict the conflict which exists in the animals regarding prey for food since both are holding the lobster by their mouth.”

The stern eyes and solidarity in the painting were a poignant technique for Roy.

He would use certain elements to catch the viewer’s attention, whether it was colours, expressions, or shapes. 

Seated Woman

Seated Woman embodies the artist’s unique fusion of Western artistic principles with traditional Indian motifs and materials.

Here, he employs flat compositions and muted colours to evoke simplicity yet thought. 

In this painting, the seated figure is rendered with a captivating stare, juxtaposed against contemporary, graphic lines that infuse the composition with dynamic energy.

Through his innovative blend of styles, Roy creates a visual narrative that begs the viewer to ask questions.

What is the woman thinking? Who is she looking at? Is she alone? 

Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore

Gandhi And Rabindranath Tagore started as a sketch by Jamini Roy.

It depicts a momentous conversation between Gandhi and the eminent poet and Nobel laureate, Tagore.

This piece is part of the Swaraj Art collection by Roy which was later colourised. 

As noted previously, Gandhi was a focal point for some of Roy’s pieces and it was an ode to the respect between the pair. 

Bride and Two Companions

Crafted in 1936, this masterpiece encapsulates a timeless scene from rural Bengali life.

Here, a resplendent bride is flanked by two companions, evoking a sense of camaraderie.

What’s particularly striking is the nostalgic aura, depicted through earthy tones and bold lines.

The bride exudes tranquillity, while her companions embody unity and togetherness, rendering the painting akin to a cultural embrace on canvas.

Jamini Roy’s artistry is renowned for intertwining tradition with innovation, a trait that lends his work an undeniable allure.

Bride and Two Companions also referred to as Three Pujarins, exemplifies this fusion, offering a heartfelt portrayal of rural Bengal’s warmth and simplicity. 

Embrace

One of Jamini Roy’s most well-known works, Embrace, shows a youngster in its mother’s protecting arms.

The greatest and most valuable link is between a mother and her kid.

There are countless versions of mother and child figures in Roy’s paintings.

His works, which date back to the mid-1920s, were rendered in sweeping calligraphic lines that demonstrated the artist’s precise brushwork.

His paintings eventually lost colour, turning into a sequence of monochromatic images. 

Boating

In Boating, Roy paints a serene scene of women sailing, likely depicting a rural or village setting.

The composition is simple yet striking, with strict lines and vibrant colours characteristic of Roy’s signature style.

The figures in the boat are shown cohesively, with angular shapes and exaggerated features.

The use of colour is particularly noteworthy, with Roy often employing bright hues to evoke a sense of warmth and vitality. 

Boating is a testament to Jamini Roy’s mastery, as well as his ability to capture the essence of everyday life in India with beauty and simplicity.

Ramayana

In 1946, Jamini Roy unveiled his magnum opus, Ramayana, consisting of 17 canvases.

This monumental series was executed in the Kalighat pata style, employing natural colours derived from earth, chalk powder, and vegetable dyes.

His rendition of the epic tale has individual replicas capturing key moments from the narrative.

Throughout the series, Roy infuses his signature decorative elements such as flowers, landscapes, birds, and animals, characteristic of the Bengal School of Art.

Several pieces from the series are housed in prestigious institutions like the National Art Gallery of India and are showcased at the Victoria Memorial Hall. 

Santhal Mother and Child

One of Roy’s most well-known works, Santhal Mother and Child, shows a kid in its mother’s protective embrace.

The figures of the mother and child depicted in his paintings reflect the artist’s deep understanding of human relationships.

The mother overlooking the nestled child conveys a sense of warmth and security, evoking universal sentiments of love and nurturing.

Roy’s use of brown, red, and yellow along with minimalistic details further enhances the authenticity of the scene.

Jamini Roy wove stories of ordinary life with a remarkable depth that swept viewers into the heart of rural Bengal with every brushstroke.

His audacious deviation from traditional creativity, along with his dedication to native customs, completely transformed the field of Indian modern art.

He transcended historical and cultural barriers with his paintings.

Jamini Roy’s legacy lives on today, inspiring both artists and art lovers by acting as a symbol of ingenuity, tenacity, and cultural pride.