The correct option is Benoy Sarkar.
Explanation
The Bengal School of Art emerged in the early 20th century as a nationalist movement to revive Indian artistic traditions (such as Mughal miniatures and Ajanta murals) and counter Western academic realism. By the 1920s, however, the movement faced criticism from intellectuals who felt its revivalist approach was becoming stagnant or disconnected from the dynamism of the modern world.Detailed Analysis:
- Benoy Sarkar: A prominent sociologist and nationalist, Benoy Sarkar was a vocal critic of the Bengal School in the 1920s. He argued that the school's emphasis on sentimental, spiritual, and "misty" aesthetics was 'regressive' and 'anti-modern'. He believed that art should reflect the vigour, strength, and material realities of the contemporary age rather than retreating into a romanticized past.
- E. B. Havell: As the Principal of the Government School of Art in Calcutta, Havell was a primary patron and collaborator of Abanindranath Tagore. He was instrumental in establishing the Bengal School, not criticizing it.
- Abanindranath Tagore: He was the founder and leading artist of the Bengal School.
- Ananda Coomaraswamy: A celebrated art historian, Coomaraswamy was a staunch defender of Indian art and its spiritual foundations. He generally supported the Swadeshi art movement and the principles underlying the Bengal School.
Key Takeaway:
Benoy Sarkar criticized the Bengal School of Art for being 'regressive' and 'anti-modern', arguing that its revivalist focus lacked the vitality required for a progressive, modern society.