Amrita Sher-Gil: The Rebel and Realist Artist Who Redefined Indian Art 

Art is a way to express feelings and ideas. Every artist has their own style, using colors and shapes to share what they see and feel. One such rebel, relist, and popular artist was Amrita Sher-Gil, often referred to as the “Indian Frida Kahlo. Amrita Sher-Gil was a pioneering artist and painter whose work bridged Western and Indian art forms. She was known for her expressive use of colors and strong depictions of women and daily life. She was considered a groundbreaking woman artist and the originator of modern art in India. Amrita Sher gil paintings are a blend of vivid colors, emotional depth, and an intense portrayal of Indian culture. Despite her short life, she left behind a lasting legacy that people continue to remember. In this blog, we will learn about her life, painting and art to let you know the impact she has on modern art in India.  

Amrita Sher-Gil – Early Life and Education 

Amrita Sher Gil was a rebel and realist painter and artist who was a pioneer in Modern Indian Art. She was one of the most influential Indian artists of the 20th century, and a revolutionary force who redefined Indian art. Amrita Sher-Gil was born in Budapest, Hungary, on 30 January 1913, to a Sikh aristocrat father, Umrao Singh and a Hungarian mother, Marie Antoniette Gottesmann-Erdöbaktay.  

Early Life

Growing up in a household that encouraged creativity, Amrita Sher-Gil developed an interest in painting at a very young age. She started painting when she was just 5. In the year 1921, due to some financial crises her family shifted to Shimla, a beautiful hill station in India. With some European heritage in her blood, Sher-Gil came back to India. Until that moment, she had only seen India through pictures, but when she returned, she saw her country with fresh eyes. Amrita was amazed by the rich culture, warm people, and unique lifestyle of India. She started learning piano with her sister when she was nine and even performed in some concerts. However, her interest in painting grew day by day.  

Education 

Amrita Shergil started learning the basics of painting at the age of just 8. Her mother realized early that Amrita was destined to be a painter.  She began her training with Major Whitmarsh and later under Beven Pateman. Her mother Marie discovered an Italian sculptor staying in Shimla in 1923, when Amrita was ten years old. After looking at Amrita Sher Gil art, the artist helped her with her drawing. After he returned to Italy in 1924, Amrita and her mother moved to Florence in January 1924. Amrita joined Santa Annunziata, a well-known art school in Florence, to start learning art. There, she discovered the works of Italian artists, which made her more interested in painting. However, she didn’t like the atmosphere or the values of the school. She described it as an “enormous, elegant but hateful school.” After just five months, she had to return to India because she was dismissed from the school for protesting against the school’s orthodoxy. 

Amrita Sher-Gil’s Art Journey – When and How It Started? 

In 1927, Amrita’s uncle, Ervin, visited the Sher-Gils in Shimla. He noticed Amrita Sher gil art style carefully and advised her to use live models for her drawings and paintings. He even advised her parents to take her to Paris where she could learn more about artistry and paintings. When she was 16, her mother took her to Paris, a city known for its modern art.  

In Paris, Amrita began studying under Pierre Vaillent and Lucien Simon at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. She also received formal training at the École des Beaux-Arts. Amrita continued working with Lucien Simon, who had previously trained her. He praised Amrita Sher-Gil artwork and motivated her to follow her passion of drawing human figures. These years marked the start of her success as an artist. 

Between 1930 and 1932, she concentrated on researching human anatomy, drawing charcoal sketches of both male and female nudes. In 1930, she began experimenting with oil paints, which subsequently became her preferred medium. During this time, she made over sixty pieces of art, the most of which were self-portraits and portraits of people she knew. Amrita Sher-Gil paintings also included some landscapes, still lifes, and nude studies. The Government of India has recognized Amrita Sher-Gil’s artworks as National Art Treasures.  

Amrita Sher-Gil’s Artistic Evolution 

Amrita Sher-Gil was just 19 when she became an Associate of the Grand Salon in Paris in 1933, due to her painting Young Girls.  

Return to Roots 

Despite this early recognition, Sher-Gil felt a strong pull to return to her roots in India. In 1934, she left Paris and moved to Saraya, a village in the Gorakhpur district, before eventually settling in Lahore, Pakistan. 

Western Influences in Early Works 

In the early stages of her career, Amrita Sher Gil artwork was heavily influenced by the Western art scene she encountered in Paris. She used to paint scenes from her own life, using friends as subjects and creating several self-portraits. One of her standout works, Young Girls, earned her widespread acclaim during this time.  

Transition to Indian Themes 

When Sher-Gil returned to India in 1934, she began a journey of exploring and using Indian traditions in art. She saw a change not only in her color palette, which became earthy, but also in her artistic practice. She was struck by the contrast between rural India’s simplicity and the sophisticated urban life she had experienced in Europe. This duality—India’s rich traditions and its evolving modernity—became a central theme of Amrita Sher-Gil art.  

Capturing Everyday Life in India 

In India, Sher-Gil traveled and experienced the culture and daily lives of the people. She painted everyday life with a focus on women and their roles, capturing the essence of women’s role in South Asian countries. In 1937, she traveled to southern India, where she was moved by the struggles of the poor and villagers. This inspiration led to works like Brahmacharis, Bride’s Toilet, ‘Siesta’, ‘Village Scene’, etc. 

The Voice of Women Through Art 

Through the paintings, Amrita Sher-Gil focused on the lives and experiences of women in early 20th-century India. She painted women going to the market, women at a wedding, women doing daily chores and women at home. Amrita Sher-Gil paintings are celebrated for their lasting themes and emotions, which continue to connect with women’s stories even today. 

Blending East and West 

The biggest revolution in Amrita Sher-Gil paintings happened when she blended Western techniques with Indian subjects, creating a fresh and powerful narrative. Sher-Gil’s works became a vivid and authentic portrayal of rural life, especially the lives of women, children, and everyday people.  

Amrita Sher Gil Paintings: A Blend of Realism and Modernism 

Amrita Sher-Gil paintings span a range of subjects from portraits and landscapes to depictions of everyday life. Some of her most popular and iconic works include: 

Young Girls (1932) 

Young Girls is the first painting of Amrita Sher-Gil that got her a gold medal at the Grand Salon of 1933 in Paris and led to her election as an Associate. It shows two young girls, Indira, Sher-Gil’s sister, on the left and a friend, Denise Proutaux, on the right in beautiful western dresses. One, in a white dress with blue accents and messy blonde hair, sits on a white chair, while the other, in a green dress with red sleeves, holds a plate of fruit. The contrasting themes symbolize a blend of cultures. The painting tells a story of gossip or a shared experience between two women. 

Self Portrait (1930) 

Sher-Gil’s self-portrait is one of her earliest works, showing her in a contemplative and intense mood. In this oil-on-canvas painting, she painted herself in a somber tone, emphasizing her distinct features with dark hues and stark lighting. The bold red lips, dark, cascading hair, prominent eyes with a teasing smile captured a seductive and exuberant mood. The colorful bracelets in her hand add vibrancy to the painting.  The use of strong, earthy tones with a blend of vibrant colors set the stage for powerful realism. 

Bride’s Toilet (1937) 

This is one of her masterpieces that highlights her deep engagement with Indian traditions. Inspired by the classical tradition of the Ajanta murals, it captures the intimate moment of a bride preparing for her wedding. The painting shows a scene of personal bathing, where a newlywed bride undergoes a beauty regime involving mud bathing. She is shown in red ochres with bright skin, having her hair braided and henna applied. The bride is attended by maidservants and children, their dark, sad faces and thin figures adding to the painting’s melancholic tone. 

Two Women (1936) 

This painting features two women engaged in a conversation or a shared experience. One in green sits with her knees to her chest, and the other in white stands with a dull expression, gazing downward. The artist has shown the pain and hardship women of that era experienced. Moreover, the sindoor applied to the skin of green-dressed women tells that Amrita Sher Gil has always respected the customs and traditions of India. The contrasting expressions of the women and the muted, earthy colors create a sense of intimacy and depth. 

Hungarian Gypsy Girl (1932) 

This painting beautifully captures a charming young woman lying in the garden with effortless grace. Her soft brown hair and tanned hands rest gently on the earth, symbolizing a deep connection with nature. The subject is entirely relaxed, yet there is an intensity in her expression that suggests a rush of emotion. Amrita Sher-Gil painting style is evident in the sharp features, full lips, and flushed cheeks, giving the woman a mix of strength and vulnerability. The way she evoked raw human emotion and cultural essence through her work is truly commendable.  

Haldi Grinders (1940) 

In this painting, Amrita Sher-Gil presented a scene of women grinding turmeric (haldi) in an idyllic rural Indian setting. The painting contains vibrant, saturated colors as she started using more colors during the last years of her life. The painting features three women in vibrant yellow, white, and red saris, set against a natural backdrop. A resting woman in black and brown behind a tree adds depth, while the bright colors and blurred background create a sense of tension. This artwork evokes strong emotion and a sense of everyday labor. 

Three Girls (1935) 

This painting portrays three women, capturing their expressions and posture with deep insight into their emotions. Originally from 1935, it also won a gold medal from the Bombay Art Society. The women, dressed in vibrant saffron, red, and green, bring the painting to life with rich colors. While one woman appears calm and composed, another’s raised eyebrows and blank expression convey a sense of pain. It somehow reflects the hardships faced by rural women in a patriarchal society. 

Sumair (1936) 

This Amrita Sher Gil artwork shows her cousin Sumair and is one of the many portraits of her friends and relatives. In this painting, she presented Sumair dressed in a floral saree with a clean bun and drop earrings. Her big eyes, blushed cheeks, and red lipstick enhance her character. In her right hand, she is holding flowers, but her facial expressions tell stories of her strength and hardships. The lighting on her face adds depth, while the contrasting red and green colors bring vibrancy to the painting. 

Brahmacharis (1940/41) 

This painting, like many of Sher-Gil’s works, reflects her interest in portraying Indian social life, culture, and traditions. It is one of the greatest masterpieces of her career. Amrita Sher-Gil’s exposure to the Ajanta murals influenced her visual language at the time. The painting features four boys and a child, all dressed in white dhotis and janeus. The boy at the center, with a tilak and a bun, stands out as the center of attraction. The rich palette of warm colors, along with the contrast between the red background and yellow floor, adds depth and vibrancy. 

Self-Portrait As Tahitian  

Amrita Sher Gil’s “Self-portrait as a Tahitian” is a perfect example of her nude art style in which she presented the exploration of the body and self. The painting expresses deep emotion, with the woman’s sadness possibly representing the pain of living in a patriarchal society and unhealthy relationships. The nude figure, with brown skin and black hair tied in a messy ponytail, highlights simplicity. Sher-Gil’s work stands as a powerful example of feminist nude art. 

The Art of Amrita Sher-Gil: Style and Technique 

Amrita Sher Gil art style evolved overtime with her exposure to different cultures and surroundings. When in Europe, her art was more of European style with bohemian themes, European classical art, and western culture. However, upon returning to India, she adopted a more direct approach to the subjects of her paintings. She started painting the realistic surroundings she saw in India, especially the women in their daily chores. Besides that, the majority of her paintings display a nude art style where she presented the portrayal of human figures. Each and every artwork of Amrita Sher-Gil displays her affinity for realism and modernism. Sher-Gil’s arty style includes: 

• Color: Her work is characterized by bold, earthy tones such as ochre, browns, and reds. She also used hues of green and white, which contributed to the emotional resonance of her subjects. 

• Brushstrokes: Her brushstrokes are raw and unrefined, often conveying a sense of urgency and emotion. Her raw brushstrokes gave her figures with a life-like presence that adds to the depth of the paintings. 

• Form and Expression: She focused more on the human form, particularly the female form. Her paintings portray women with a sense of dignity and strength along with simplicity. She gracefully presented the feelings and emotions of women in a patriarchal society. She was more focused on the female aspect of South Asia.   

conclusion: Amrita sher-Gil, The Artist Who Left a Timeless Legacy

Amrita Sher-Gil’s life and work embody the spirit of authenticity and realism. She was an extraordinary artist who created a body of work that was uniquely her own. She left the world in 1951 when she was just 28, due to a serious illness. However, even in the short lifespan she left a legacy that continues to resonate with the present generation. Through her paintings, she challenged, questioned, and redefined societal norms. She won the Gold Medal from the Bombay Art Society in 1937, and in 1978, India Post issued a stamp featuring her painting Hill Women. Most of her artworks are displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.  Amrita Sher-Gil was not just an artist but a movement whose influence will shape Indian art for generations.