Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Mukul Dey Biography
Mukul Chandra Dey, born on July 23, 1895, in the Sridharkhola region of Bangladesh, was a pioneering figure in the world of Indian art, particularly known for his mastery in drypoint etching. His journey from a young boy in Bangladesh to a celebrated artist is a testament to his dedication, talent, and the rich cultural heritage of India that he brought to the global stage.
Dey's early life was marked by his move to Calcutta, where his father introduced him to Rabindranath Tagore at Jorasanko. This encounter would shape the course of his life, leading him to Santiniketan, where he received his initial training in arts under the guidance of Tagore himself. Santiniketan was not just a school for Dey; it was a place where his artistic soul was nurtured, and his talents were honed under the watchful eyes of some of the most prominent figures in Indian art, including Abanindranath Tagore and Gaganendranath Tagore.
The year 1916 marked the beginning of Dey's international journey when he traveled to Japan with Rabindranath Tagore. This trip was pivotal, as it exposed him to Japanese painting techniques under the tutelage of Yokoyama Taikan and Kanzan Shimomura. His stay in Japan was not just about learning new techniques but also about understanding the essence of Asian solidarity against Western imperialism, a theme that would later influence his works.
From Japan, Dey moved to the United States, where he studied etching with Bertha Jaques and James Blanding Sloane in Chicago. His time in America was significant, as it led to his election as a member of the Chicago Society of Etchers, a testament to his skill and the respect he commanded in the international art community. Dey's journey continued to the United Kingdom in 1920, where he furthered his studies at the Slade School of Fine Art and the Royal College of Art in London, learning under the guidance of Frank Short, Muirhead Bone, and Professor Henry Tonks.
Dey's return to India was marked by a commitment to etching as a fine art. He supported himself through portrait drawings of the rich and famous, which he turned into etchings. His works during this period were mainly based on various aspects of life in India, choosing subjects from West Bengal like baul singers, marketplaces of Kolkata, and the life of tribes, all depicted through the European practice of drypoint etching.
In 1928, Dey's contributions to the art world were recognized when he was appointed as the first Indian principal of the Government School of Arts, Kolkata. This position allowed him to start a section for women, breaking the gender barrier in art education in India. His tenure as principal was marked by his efforts to promote printmaking and his continued work as an artist, drawing portraits of famous personalities like Tagore, the Tata family, Albert Einstein, and Mahatma Gandhi.
Dey's legacy is preserved in the Mukul Dey Archives at his former home, Chitralekha, in Santiniketan, and his works are housed in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Indian Museum in Kolkata, and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai and Delhi. His death on March 1, 1989, marked the end of an era, but his contributions to Indian art continue to inspire generations. Dey was not just an artist; he was a visionary who bridged the gap between Indian and Western art, making a lasting impact on the global art scene.
Mukul Dey Quotes and Sales of
Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
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