NCERT Class 12 Fine Art An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II: Chapter 6 — The Bengal School and Cultural Nationalism
This chapter, "The Bengal School and Cultural Nationalism," explores the evolution of art in India, contrasting traditional forms with the impact of colonial rule. It details the emergence of Company Painting, a blend of traditional Indian techniques and European observation, commissioned by British officers for documentation. The chapter then discusses Raja Ravi Varma's academic realism, which depicted Indian epics using European oil painting styles, becoming widely popular but later criticized as too foreign during the rise of Indian nationalism. Finally, it introduces the Bengal School of Art, an influential movement spearheaded by Abanindranath Tagore and supported by E.B. Havell, which aimed to create a modern, nationalist art style distinct from colonial impositions. This chapter helps students understand the socio-political influences on Indian art.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Fine Art |
| Book | An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — The Bengal School and Cultural Nationalism |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 617 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the characteristics and historical context of Company Painting.
- Analyze the artistic style and impact of Raja Ravi Varma.
- Identify the origins and key figures of the Bengal School of Art.
- Recognize the influence of cultural nationalism on Indian art movements.
- Differentiate between traditional, Company, academic, and nationalist art styles.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Commissioned | Hired or requested an artist to create a work of art. |
| Erstwhile | Former; belonging to an earlier time. |
| Patrons | People who support artists, especially financially. |
| Documentation | The process of recording information or events, often visually. |
| Academic realism | A style of painting that aims for lifelike representation based on European academic traditions. |
| Oleographs | Prints made from lithographic stones, often used for popular imagery. |
| Nationalism | A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country. |
| Spearheaded | Led or initiated an action or movement. |
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Practice questions
- What was the primary purpose of Company Painting? Answer: Company Painting was created partly for documentation and partly for artistic reasons, commissioned by English officers to depict Indian customs, flora, fauna, and locales.
- How did Raja Ravi Varma adapt European art styles? Answer: Raja Ravi Varma mastered academic realism by imitating European paintings and used it to depict scenes from Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Why was Raja Ravi Varma's style criticized later? Answer: With the rise of nationalism, his academic style was viewed as foreign and too Western to represent Indian myths and history authentically.
- Who were the key figures associated with the Bengal School of Art? Answer: Abanindranath Tagore spearheaded the movement, with support from E.B. Havell.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Company Painting emerged around which century due to colonial rule?
Explanation: Company Painting developed as a response to the interests of English officers during the colonial rule, which became prominent around the 18th century.
Q2. Which artist is known for depicting scenes from Indian epics using academic realism?
Explanation: Raja Ravi Varma was renowned for his use of academic realism, a European style, to illustrate popular Indian epics.
Q3. The Bengal School of Art originated in which city?
Explanation: The Bengal School of Art movement began in Calcutta, which was a major center of British power at the time.
Q4. Who supported Abanindranath Tagore in establishing a new art movement?
Explanation: E.B. Havell, the principal of the Calcutta School of Art, was a key supporter of Abanindranath Tagore's vision for a nationalist art school.
Q5. What led to the decline of Company Painting?
Explanation: The advent of photography in the mid-nineteenth century offered a more efficient method for documentation, leading to the decline of Company Painting.
Frequently asked questions
What is Company Painting?
Company Painting is a style that emerged in India around the 18th century, blending traditional Indian techniques with European observational methods, often commissioned by British officers.
Who was Raja Ravi Varma?
Raja Ravi Varma was a self-taught artist from the Travancore Court who mastered European academic realism and used it to depict scenes from Indian epics.
What was the Bengal School of Art?
The Bengal School of Art was a nationalist art movement that originated in Calcutta in the early 20th century, spearheaded by Abanindranath Tagore, aiming to create a modern Indian art style.
What role did E.B. Havell play in the Bengal School?
E.B. Havell, principal of the Calcutta School of Art, supported Abanindranath Tagore and was critical of colonial art education, advocating for a new, nationalist art approach.
Why did Raja Ravi Varma's style become controversial?
His style, though popular, was seen as too Western and foreign during the rise of Indian nationalism, which sought to promote indigenous cultural expressions.
When did photography impact Indian art?
Photography began to influence and eventually decline styles like Company Painting in the mid-nineteenth century by offering a more efficient method of documentation.
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NCERT Class 12 Fine Art — An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II — Chapter 6 — The Bengal School and Cultural Nationalism. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.