Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Bengal School of Art was a nationalist art movement that emerged in the early 20th century in British India. It developed as a reaction against the academic art styles promoted by European art schools and the Western-influenced realism of artists like Raja Ravi Varma. The movement sought to revive Indian cultural heritage by looking back to traditional art forms.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. While the movement was indeed spearheaded by Abanindranath Tagore (supported by E.B. Havell), its primary objective was to reject the European academic style of painting, not to promote it. The school sought to counter the Western imposition of "materialistic" art and instead focused on Indian spiritual and aesthetic values.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The proponents of the Bengal School consciously drew inspiration from India's rich artistic history, specifically the frescoes of Ajanta and the detailed techniques of Mughal and Rajput miniature paintings. They rejected the Company School of painting, which was a hybrid style catering to British tastes and utilizing Western techniques.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The Bengal School laid the foundation for modern Indian art. Its influence extended well beyond Bengal, inspiring artists across the country through institutions like Kala Bhavana in Shantiniketan. Prominent figures such as Nandalal Bose, Asit Kumar Haldar, and K. Venkatappa spread the movement's philosophy, influencing the trajectory of Indian modernism.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: The Bengal School of Art, led by Abanindranath Tagore, was a revivalist movement that rejected Western realism in favor of traditional Indian techniques (Ajanta, Mughal) and Japanese wash styles to express a distinct nationalist identity.