Rare Sikh paintings by western artists displayed in Amritsar
THE COLLECTION HAS 80 MUSEUM ARCHIVAL REPLICAS OF 19TH AND 20TH CENTURY PAINTINGS DEPICTING SIKH HISTORY
AMRITSAR : A collection of rare paintings by eminent western artists of the 19th and 20th century depicting the Sikh community in all its glory and grandeur was displayed at Gobindgarh Fort, here.
The exhibition, which is being held in conjunction with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, has been set up by ‘The Hubris Foundation’ and will be thrown open to public at Gobindgarh Fort from October 11 to October 13. The foundation has been collecting works of art from Europe and USA for over 20 years.
The collection of rare historical paintings titled “The Sikhs: An Occidental Romance” presents 80 remarkable museum archival replicas of paintings , including that of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
The collection shows the portrait of battle hardened Ranjit Singh in the painting ‘reverential tranquillity’ by Emily Eden, Edwin Lord weeks’ iconic painting of the Golden Temple and Rudolf Swoboda’s portrait of a Sikh under commission by Queen Victoria.
The exhibition also displays incredible works of art that depicts ‘The Anglo Sikh Wars’, Viscount Harding, the charming cities of Amritsar and Lahore.
Alfred De Dreux, who was commissioned by an Italian General, painted Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s portrait which was presented to the king of France and a portrait of the Prince Duleep Singh by Franz Winter Halter, is another artwork to look for.
“The exhibition unveils a collection of exquisite paintings by eminent artists from all over the world. Back in the mid 19th century, a small movement took place in the art world across Europe and North America, where ‘Occidental’ (natives of west) painters developed an interest in the Sikh community and took it upon themselves to represent the community, its people and their lifestyle in their works of art,” said Gautam Srivastava, curator of the exhibition and founder of ‘The Hubris Foundation’ said.
He said Sikhs receive near universal admiration from these magnificent wielders of the paint brush.
“The exhibition was specially displayed in Delhi and Chandigarh early this year to mark the 550th birth anniversary year of Guru Nanak. Now we are in Amritsar to showcase rare collection of Sikh Art to the people of holy city,” added Srivastava.