Anjan Roy (1955 – 1998)
Grandson of Jamini Roy

Artist Jamini Roy (1887 – 1972)

dated 1956, Mixed Media on paper
10.8 x 8 in. (27.4 x 20.3 cm.)

This intimate portrait of Anjan Roy, painted by his grandfather Jamini Roy in 1956, offers a rare glimpse into the personal world of one of India’s most revered modernist painters. At the time, Anjan was barely a year old, and the tenderness of this familial bond is reflected in the soft gaze and gentle modelling of the child’s features. Interestingly, this work departs from the iconic Kalighat-inspired, bold-line style for which Jamini Roy is widely celebrated. Instead, it resonates with the influence of French Impressionism—a style he explored briefly before turning to indigenous forms. The warm palette, loose brushwork, and textured strokes around the cheeks and ruffled collar highlight Roy’s sensitive response to Western techniques.

Jamini Roy was a pioneering figure in Indian modern art who broke away from academic realism taught at the Government School of Art, Calcutta. Rejecting European oil painting conventions, he sought inspiration in Bengali folk traditions, especially the Kalighat pat, Santhal motifs, and terracotta temple art. His practice was rooted in the idea of making art accessible to the masses, blending simplicity of form with spiritual depth. This portrait of Anjan Roy, painted with personal affection and stylistic curiosity, captures a brief transitional phase in his artistic journey—where the personal and the painterly meet in harmony.