The correct option is Gaganendranath Tagore.
Explanation
Gaganendranath Tagore was a prominent figure of the Bengal School of Art, yet he carved a unique niche by experimenting with European modernist movements. He is widely recognized as one of the first Indian artists to explore and adapt Cubism and Futurism in his painting style.
Detailed Analysis:
- Gaganendranath Tagore: The painting 'City in the Night' belongs to his post-1920s phase, where he moved away from the Japanese wash technique and caricatures to geometric abstraction. This work is characterized by the interplay of light and shadow (chiaroscuro), fragmented geometric shapes, and prismatic colours, which are hallmarks of his Cubist influence. He used these techniques to create mysterious, labyrinthine architectural spaces.
- Ramkinkar Baij: A pioneer of modern Indian sculpture, his paintings and sculptures (e.g., Santhal Family) are known for their raw energy, expressionism, and focus on rural tribal life, rather than geometric abstraction.
- Rabindranath Tagore: His visual art emerged later in life, evolving from manuscript doodles. His works are characterized by rhythmic lines, moody faces, and strange beasts, often lacking the structural geometric precision of Cubism.
- Amrita Sher-Gil: Her style blended Western Post-Impressionism with Indian aesthetics (influenced by Ajanta and Pahari miniatures). Her subjects were primarily the people of rural India, depicted with a focus on volume and colour, distinct from the abstract cityscapes of Gaganendranath.
Key Takeaway:
Gaganendranath Tagore is the Indian artist most associated with the introduction of Cubism and geometric abstraction in Indian modern art, exemplified by works like 'City in the Night'.