Correct Option
The correct option is Gladstone Solomon.
Explanation
During the construction of New Delhi (Lutyens' Delhi), the decoration of public buildings such as the Imperial Secretariat (now North and South Blocks) became a subject of debate between proponents of traditional Indian styles and Western academic realism. The Bombay School of Art (Sir J.J. School of Art) played a pivotal role in this phase under British academic leadership.Analysis of Options
- Gladstone Solomon is Correct: Captain Gladstone Solomon served as the Principal of the Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay (now Mumbai) from 1919 to 1937. He was a staunch advocate of the "Bombay Revivalist" style, which combined Western academic realism with Indian themes. He actively encouraged his students to execute mural decorations and successfully secured the commission to decorate the Committee Room (now known as the "Bombay Room") in the Imperial Secretariat in 1929.
- E.B. Havell is Incorrect: E.B. Havell was the Principal of the Government School of Art, Calcutta. He is best known for rejecting Western academic methods and collaborating with Abanindranath Tagore to found the Bengal School of Art, which focused on reviving traditional Indian styles (such as Mughal and Rajput miniatures) rather than the academic mural style favored in the Lutyens' project.
- Lockwood Kipling is Incorrect: Lockwood Kipling was the first Principal of the Mayo School of Arts in Lahore (1875). While he contributed significantly to the preservation of Indian crafts and sculpture, his tenure and primary influence predated the construction and decoration phase of Lutyens' Delhi in the 1920s.
- Charles D'Oyly is Incorrect: Charles D'Oyly was a British official and amateur artist associated with the Company School (Patna School) of painting in the early 19th century. He was not associated with the institutional art education or public commissions of the 20th century.
Key Takeaway
Gladstone Solomon, as the Principal of the Bombay School of Art, was the key figure who facilitated the entry of Indian students into the decoration of Lutyens' Delhi, specifically through the execution of murals in the Imperial Secretariat.