UPSC Prelims 2009 Q144: Art & Culture – Painting & Visual Arts
Consider the following famous names:
1. Amrita Sher - Gil
2. Bikash Bhattacharjee
3. N. S. Bendre
4. Subodh Gupta
Who of the above is/are well known as artist(s)?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 4 only
- (c) 2, 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation
Which of these famous names are artists
Among these four names, we need to verify who is well-known specifically as a visual artist.
| Name | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Amrita Sher-Gil | Correct | A celebrated modernist painter |
| 2. Bikash Bhattacharjee | Correct | A renowned Indian painter, known for his realist works |
| 3. N.S. Bendre | Correct | A noted Indian painter, associated with various modern art movements |
| 4. Subodh Gupta | Correct | A well-known contemporary Indian artist, famous for his sculptural/installation work |
Artist recognition facts:
| Name | Field |
|---|---|
| Amrita Sher-Gil, Bikash Bhattacharjee, N.S. Bendre | Painters |
| Subodh Gupta | Contemporary visual artist |
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Names 2, 3, and 4 (Bhattacharjee, Bendre, Gupta) are also well-known artists, so '1 only' is far too narrow.
- (b) Incorrect. Names 2 and 3 (Bhattacharjee, Bendre) are also well-known artists, so '1 and 4 only' is incomplete.
- (c) Incorrect. Name 1 (Sher-Gil) is also a well-known artist, so '2, 3 and 4 only' wrongly excludes her.
- (d) CORRECT. All four — Sher-Gil, Bhattacharjee, Bendre, and Gupta — are well-known Indian artists.
Key point
Amrita Sher-Gil, Bikash Bhattacharjee, N.S. Bendre, AND Subodh Gupta are all well-known Indian artists — painters and a contemporary visual artist, respectively.
Remember
Amrita Sher-Gil, Bikash Bhattacharjee, N.S. Bendre, and Subodh Gupta are all well-known as artists.
Common mistakes
- Not knowing some of the less globally famous names (Bhattacharjee, Bendre) as recognized Indian painters.
- Confusing Subodh Gupta's contemporary sculptural/installation work with a different, non-art field.
- Assuming only the most internationally renowned name (Sher-Gil) qualifies as 'well-known'.
Exam tip
All four — Sher-Gil, Bhattacharjee, Bendre, Gupta — are genuine, recognized Indian artists, spanning different eras and styles.
Sources
- National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi — Amrita Sher-Gil and N. S. Bendre collections
- Lalit Kala Akademi — Artists: Bikash Bhattacharjee; Subodh Gupta