Untitled (Grotesque Head)

Currently not on view

Untitled (Grotesque Head)

1936

Rabindranath Tagore (Indian (eastern India, Calcutta), 1861–1941)

In his writings, Tagore describes grotesque animals as unliberated life-forms struggling to escape the confines of their own bodies. His close friend, the art historian Ananda Coomaraswamy, suggested that Tagore's strange paintings of birds might be veiled portraits of the leaders of the League of Nations, an idealistic organization for international unity that Tagore initially supported until he became frustrated by its internal bickering.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Untitled (Grotesque Head)

Date:

1936

Artist:

Rabindranath Tagore (Indian (eastern India, Calcutta), 1861–1941)

Medium:

Ink wash and watercolor on cardboard with gilt silk and paper with gold flecks

Dimensions:

8 3/8 × 7 1/8 inches (21.3 × 18.1 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Gift of Stella Kramrisch, 1966

Accession Number:

1966-189-2

Geography:

Made in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata), West Bengal, Bengal Region, India, Asia

Context:

Period: Modern Period

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Currently not on view