The Academy of Fine Arts is one of the oldest and finest art society in the country.
The eight galleries on its ground floor is the largest gallery space in India, display
exhibitions by artists and groups from all parts of India and abroad. It is truly a
delight for the eyes, walking through the galleries , viewing new worlds of creation by
artists all ages.
Above the spacious galleries in the ground floor, we have built an extensive museum
covering the entire first floor. It comprises a fine collection of different types of the
arts.
The Gallery of Contemporary Art with paintings and sculptures of India from 1900 to
the present day, has a good collection of Acharya Abanindranath Tagore and of his
brother Gaganedra Nath Tagore , who was the first to introduce cubism in India .
Abanindranath's famous disciples Nandalal Bose, Asit Kumar Haldar, Kshitin Mazum
-dar , Samar Gupta and their disciples like Benod Behari Mukherjee, Sarada Ukil,
Sudhir Khastagir , Ram Kinkar Beij and others are all represented here.
The gallery of Old Textiles may be considered among the finer ones in India , with
rare pieces of old textiles from many parts of India.
The Gallery of Miniature paintingswhich has, among other works, a unique Ram -Sita
series containing 18 fine miniature paintings given to Lady Ranu by her father , Prof.
Phani Bhusan Adhikari. This was presented to him by Benaras Hindu University.
There is a Rag-Mala series comprising 33 miniature paintings . Two hundred miniat
-ure paintings , a family collection collected by Sir R. N. Mookerjee, were gift -ed by
Sir Biren Mookerjee.
The Carpet Gallery is rare, -as we do not think there is as yet in India a gallery exclus
-ively for carpets -is from the Late T. L. Martin and other donors.
The Gallery of Engravings on India in the 18th and 19th Centuries; eminent painters
such as Zoffany , Hodges , the Danniells , Sir Charles O D'oyly and others are
represented there.
There is also a Gallery of contemporary Graphics and Line Drawings.
To house our growing collection , a new wing to the Museum has been added in
1982 in the third storey. The wing comprises galleries where the display is changed
at intervals.The exhibits, in each gallery, are from the Academy's ever-growing collec
-tions of well known painters of India and famous British Painters of the 18th and 19th
Centuries.In the wing there is also a section for renovation , fumigation and conserva
-tion , all essential items for museums, as well as a section for selection and judging
of art objects for the Museum and for the Exhibitions. The Wing covers the entire front
facade of the Museum.The Museum is growing with gifts and acquisitions every
month
Amongst our activities , apart from organising exhibitions, we arrange lectures, and
Symposia, publish bulletins, booklets , catalogues and literature on art matters. We
also have an Art Library with a Librarian.
But this is only a part of the life within the building. Our ancillary activities include
sketching and sculpture studios, situated at the back of the garden . Since the year
1957, the Academy has been running a Studio-Cum-Sketching Club for the benefit of
working artists , where live models and other facilities are provided , palpably
fulfilling a need in this crowded metropolis , by ensuring a congenial atmosphere
for artists to work after office hours and on holidays. Our Hon. Secretary is in charge
of this section. There is a junior section of the studio, for those between 14-18 years of
age , where similar facilities are provided, except live models. There is also a
children's section from the age group of 4 to 14 years. To watch the tiny tots sketch
or paint with such ease and imagination is an education in itself. A reputed painter is
in charge of these studios . Many visitors come to see our children's studio.
Exhibitions of the works of the various sections of the studios are held periodically.
A mobile Art Van gifted by the West Bengal Government travels round the districts of
West Bengal with a trained Guide-Lecturer accompanying it. There is a projection
machine inside which shows art films. This has proved very popular. On its maiden
trip, it carried 21 paintings by Nirode Mazumdar on the various facets of Goddess
"Tripurasundari".
The Academy has an attached air-conditioned auditorium at the back of the building
which provides a stimulating venue not only for lectures, art films, symposia on art etc.
but also as a popular stage for eminent performing artists. Incidentally, its accoustics
are among the best in the country.
There is a much needed small flat for guests , used by visiting artists and friends. In
a crowded metropolis like Calcutta the demand for this is great. |
