Correct Option
The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
Group 1890 was a short-lived but significant collective of Indian artists formed in 1962-63. It sought to establish a distinct indigenous modernist identity, rejecting both the revivalist traditions of the past and the derivative European modernism prevalent at the time.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The group was formed under the ideological leadership of J. Swaminathan. The collective was named "Group 1890" simply because their first meeting took place at the residence of member J. Pandya, which was house number 1890 in Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The group's manifesto, drafted by J. Swaminathan, explicitly rejected the ideology of the Bengal School, criticizing its "pastoral idealism." It also rejected the "vulgar naturalism" of the academic schools and the derivative modernism of the Progressive Artists' Group. They aimed to free Indian art from the burden of history and foreign influence.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The artists of Group 1890 (including Jeram Patel, Himmat Shah, and Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh) did not focus on realistic portraiture. Instead, they were known for experimenting with abstraction, textures, and new materials (such as burning wood or using blowtorches on surfaces) to create a raw, visceral visual language.
Key Takeaway
Group 1890 is defined by its rejection of both the revivalist Bengal School and the western-influenced Progressive Artists' Group, advocating instead for a unique, texture-oriented, and indigenous contemporary language.