Question

Observe the painting and answer the following:
(a) Write the name of artist, painting, a human value and medium.
(b) Write in detail its subject-matter.
(c) Appreciate its compositional arrangement aesthetically in four points.

Hint:

For Amrita Sher-Gil: Oil on canvas + rural women + emotional realism + muted colours + strong psychological depth.

Answer 1

(a) Artist, Painting, Human Value and Medium:

• Artist: {Amrita Sher-Gil}
• Painting: {Mother India}
• Medium: Oil on canvas
• Human Value: Compassion / Motherhood / Emotional resilience

(b) Subject-matter in Detail: The painting portrays rural Indian women, especially a mother figure, representing the suffering and strength of Indian womanhood. Amrita Sher-Gil focuses on:

• The emotional bond between mother and child
• Silent endurance of rural women
• Social realities of poverty and hardship

The figures are rendered with a sense of heaviness and stillness, reflecting:

• Inner sorrow
• Psychological depth
• Social realism

The mother figure symbolizes not only an individual but also the metaphorical “Mother India,” embodying the nation’s resilience during difficult times. (c) Aesthetic Appreciation of Compositional Arrangement: 1. Strong Central Focus: The main figure is prominently placed, drawing immediate attention. The composition revolves around emotional gravity rather than decorative elements. 2. Use of Dark and Muted Tones: The artist employs earthy and subdued colours, creating a melancholic and introspective mood. This enhances the emotional depth of the subject. 3. Simplified Background: Minimal background details ensure that the viewer’s focus remains on the figures and their expressions. The simplicity strengthens narrative intensity. 4. Sculptural Treatment of Figures: The solid, volumetric forms resemble sculptural masses. This gives the painting a sense of permanence and dignity. Additional Observations:

• Balanced grouping of figures
• Emotional storytelling through posture rather than action
• Fusion of Indian themes with European realism

Conclusion: Through powerful composition and emotional realism, Amrita Sher-Gil’s {Mother India} reflects the silent strength and suffering of Indian women. The painting stands as a landmark in modern Indian art, combining empathy, realism, and cultural identity.