But wait..first, what is a National Art Treasure? During the 1970s, India’s federal government mandated that certain works of art were intrinsically linked to our national identity. These could be “any human work of art, not being an antiquity,” considered a national treasure for its “artistic or aesthetic value.” Between 1976 and 1979, the good folks at ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) prepared a list of nine National Art Treasure artists.
The National Treasure Artists include:
Nicholas Roerich, Jamini Roy, Nandalal Bose, Sailoz Mukherjee, Amrita Shergil, Raja Ravi Varma, Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore and Gaganendranath Tagore. Representing the spirit of India, their individual practices contributed some of the most significant markers to the history of Indian modernism.
All through April, DAG is featuring National Art Treasure artists on Instagram!
Now based on your Quarantine life…go ahead and find out :
Screenshot your result and share it with us on Instagram! Tag @dag.museums & @theheritagelab
Together, these artists tell a compelling story of the country’s journey through works of art that are etched into the national consciousness. An exhibition of some of the finest works by the navaratna are on display at Drishyakala Museum at the Red Fort, Delhi curated by DAG in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India. Six of the artists hailed from Bengal, and their works can be seen at a dedicated gallery at the Ghare Baire museum-exhibition in Kolkata, organized by DAG in collaboration with NGMA.
This quiz is a collaboration between DAG and The Heritage Lab. We’re both committed towards making art accessible and fun for all!