Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

Acquired in Calcutta by the present owner's parents between 1930-1938

Overall in good condition. Intentional creases throughout consistent with the nature of handmade paper. Areas of blotching around the duck's head and breast intentional and due to the natural reaction of the medium with the paper surface. Colors stronger in reality. As viewed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

'People often ask me about the meaning of my pictures. I remain silent even as my pictures are. It is for them to express and not to explain.' (Rabindranath Tagore)

Born in Calcutta into a wealthy Brahmo family Tagore went on to become one of the most revered poet-philosophers of his time. In 1913 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first non-Westerner to be honored with the award. A poet, author, playwright and artist, Tagore's creative output was immense. He took up painting at the age of sixty. His work was publicly displayed for the first time in Paris in 1930 followed by an exhibition in Calcutta in 1931. His early paintings were rendered in monochromatic schemes, followed by two-toned and three-toned drawings.  The style of the current drawing suggests that it was painted in the mid-1930's which coincides with the period when the current owner's parents lived in India. 

Tagore in his article 'My Pictures' explains his paintings as follows, 'The Universe ... talks in the voice of pictures and dance...In a picture the artist creates the language of undoubted reality, and we are satisfied that we see. It may not be the representation of a beautiful woman but that of a common place donkey or of something that has no external credential of truth in nature but only in its own inner artistic significance.' (Extract from Poetseers.org in an essay on the painting of Tagore).