An unidentified lady

Artist Amrita Sher-Gil (1913 – 1941)

circa 1930, Oil on board
13.8 x 9.8 in. (35.1 x 24.9 cm.)

This intimate oil portrait offers a rare and revealing glimpse into Amrita Sher-Gil’s early stylistic development and painterly sensitivity. Executed on a green-tinted “Winton” canvas panel by Winsor & Newton— the work likely dates to the early 1930s. It was possibly created during or shortly after her formative years at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1929–1934). The use of a green undertone, as indicated by the panel’s original label, lends the painting a subtle chromatic vibration, enhancing its tonal depth and emotional nuance.

The sitter, an unidentified Indian woman depicted in profile, is rendered with earthy hues, delicate brushwork, and sculpted shadows. This reflects Gil’s mastery of European academic technique, particularly in anatomical precision and chiaroscuro. At the same time, this portrait anticipates her gradual turn towards Indian subjects, seen in both the choice of model and the quiet dignity with which she is portrayed.

After returning from Paris, Gil began painting numerous portraits of house servants, local women, and people from her immediate surroundings. These works mark a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution, as she sought to bridge Western techniques with an authentic visual language rooted in Indian life. This particular painting exemplifies that transitional phase—intimate, observational, and deeply human.