Tracing an artist

B N Goswamy has produced a formidable suggested timeline for an anonymous artist whom he admires greatly

It’s interesting that B N Goswamy begins the preface of his book on the 18th century painter, Manaku of Guler, with a description of Hiranyagarbha — a painting of the golden womb/golden egg from which all creation sprang. It’s also the first painting in his 2014 publication of the Spirit of Indian Paintings; 101 great artworks 1100-1900. By that definition, he seems to think that this is essentially the finest painting in the entire history of Indian art.

It’s a dazzling work with the egg resting on a sea that fills the page from end to end with grey concentric