View from studio
Completed in 1934, View from studio by Amrita Sher-Gil is an oil painting that captures a unique perspective from her Paris studio. Measuring 42 × 45.6 cm, this work showcases her characteristic loose brushwork and a focus on light and shade. The bifurcating tree trunk set against a courtyard backdrop reflects her evolving style as she moved from European influence towards incorporating Indian themes. Despite her critical view of this piece, it garnered recognition as the best oil painting by a female artist in an exhibition in Delhi in 1938.
Year 1934
About the Artwork
Amrita Sher-Gil painted View from studio during a pivotal time in her artistic journey, likely in 1934. Residing in Paris, she was influenced by the vibrant art scene while also examining her roots. This painting is a remarkable reflection of her transitional phase, showcasing her adept technique that combined Western styles with her emerging Indian identity. Despite her personal reservations about its quality, the painting was celebrated in a 1938 exhibition in Delhi, where it received a gold medal for being the best work by a female artist. Sher-Gil’s retrospective view of her work, noting it as one of her weaker pieces, only adds to the intrigue surrounding her artistic choices and the growing acknowledgment of female artists during this era.
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Did You Know
The painting was displayed at the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society’s exhibition in Delhi, where it won the gold medal for the best picture by a female artist.
Sher-Gil considered View from studio as one of her weaker works despite its accolades, showcasing her high standards as an artist.
This piece marks a critical transition in Sher-Gil’s style, bridging her early European influences with her later embrace of Indian themes reflected in her subsequent works.
