It is very unfortunate that the following news report that
was published by Vandana Kalra in the Indian Express was unverified and
misconceived with the intention of sensationalising a story, as will become
evident from the facts below:
THE MYTH:
"The 'same' Nandalal hangs in NGMA, goes under the
hammer" -
THE TRUTH:
- First, the work at the NGMA is not the “same” as
the work in the Bid & Hammer catalogue – the work in the catalogue had a
distinct colour palette and size difference (it was larger) and was without a
monogram.
- Second, Nandalal Bose did not print a monogram on
all his works.
- Third, it is very well known that not only Nandalal
Bose but also many other artists including Raja Ravi Varma have painted
versions of the same work. “Shiva drinking world poison” by Nandalal Bose had
many versions one of which is in the NGMA.
- Fourth, if the work in the catalogue had to be a
fake, it would have been an exact replica.
-
Fifth, a case of forgery would be something like what happened in the case of artist Ajoy Ghose, when two of
his award winning works were passed of as Nandalal Bose’s works, by Christies in their auction. His signature had been replaced with a scrawl depicting Nandalal’s
name. Subsequently, the sale had to be revoked. (Source: India Today)
The woman sitting under a tree - Nandalal Bose
 |
Comparison between the two versions: (L) in NGMA collection and (R) in B&H auction
|
Shiva drinking world poison - Nandalal Bose
 |
Comparison between the three versions
|
Ajoy Ghose passed off as Nandalal Bose
 |
| Christies Auction, Source: India Today |
The following comments and excerpts from independent publications and scholars reiterate, to a large extent, the above-mentioned clarifications on the work titled 'The woman sitting under a tree':
"The auction will also offer
‘important works from the estate of Nandalal Bose,’ and it is one of the works
of this eminent Bengal School artist that has now become the focus of a
controversy. It has been said that the painting listed as being auctioned is
similar to a painting, which is part of the Nandalal Bose collection at the
National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. The only difference being that the
one being auctioned is in full colour while the painting at NGMA is in
monochrome. I believe it is pertinent to mention here, that artists are known
for doing a sketch first in monochrome and later, if they are happy with the
outcome, to repeat the same subject in colour."
- Shona Adhikari, The Financial Chronicle, 23rd June 2014
