Amrita Sher-Gil Self Portrait 9 - (1930)
Created in 1930, Amrita Sher-Gil's 'Self-Portrait 9' captures the essence of her early artistic journey while studying in Paris. Utilizing oil on canvas, the painting measures 49 × 65.5 cm and reflects the post-impressionist and academic realism trends that influenced her at the time. This piece symbolizes her exploration of identity and artistic expression, as she began to blend European techniques with her own cultural heritage, laying the groundwork for her future works.
Year 1930
About the Artwork
Painted in 1930 during her formative years at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, 'Self-Portrait 9' is a quintessential representation of Amrita Sher-Gil's artistic evolution. While immersed in European art traditions, Sher-Gil's self-portrait demonstrates her keen observation skills and her adaptability to various painting techniques. In this work, she experiments with colors and forms, which she would later infuse with Indian aesthetics upon returning to her homeland. The painting not only depicts her likeness but also embodies the struggles of an artist striving to define her identity amidst contrasting cultural influences.
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Did You Know
Amrita Sher-Gil was influenced by the European artistic movements of her time, particularly academic realism and post-impressionism, which played a crucial role in shaping her early works before she returned to India to embrace her cultural heritage more fully.
During her time in Paris, Amrita Sher-Gil studied at the prestigious École Nationale des Beaux-Arts and the Grande Chaumière, where she refined her technical skills in portraiture and figure studies, greatly impacting her later artistic style.
Sher-Gil’s ‘Self-Portrait 9’ represents a pivotal moment in her career, embodying the fusion of Western artistic techniques with Indian cultural elements, a theme she further explored in her later works after her return to India.
