Who is the author of book 'Indian Painting'?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The correct option is 4: The author of the foundational book 'Indian Painting' is Percy Brown, a renowned British scholar, artist, and art historian. Brown served in key academic and curatorial roles in India, including Principal of the Mayo School of Arts in Lahore and the Government School of Art in Kolkata during the early 20th century. The book, first published around 1918, is considered one of the earliest comprehensive and systematic surveys of Indian painting, covering everything from the ancient cave frescoes of Ajanta to the intricate miniature paintings of the Mughal and Rajput schools. His extensive research and publication efforts, which also included the monumental *Indian Architecture*, established an authoritative and structured framework for the study of the subcontinent's diverse artistic heritage, making 'Indian Painting' a classic reference text in the field of art history.

The incorrect option is 1:
The incorrect option is 1: M. S. Randhawa was an eminent Indian Civil Service officer, botanist, and influential art historian. However, he is primarily celebrated in the field of art for his profound and pioneering research on the *Pahari* miniature painting schools of the Western Himalayas. His work resulted in definitive and highly specialised monographs such as *Basohli Painting* and *Kangra Valley Painting*. While his contribution to art history is immense, focusing on locating, collecting, and publishing specific regional schools, he did not write the general, foundational survey titled 'Indian Painting'. His art historical publications came much later, mostly from the 1950s onwards.

The incorrect option is 2:
The incorrect option is 2: Anand Coomaraswamy is widely regarded as the towering pioneer who introduced Indian art to the Western world and established the field of Indian art history. As a philosopher and art historian, his work was monumental and highly influential in classifying different art traditions. He is particularly famous for his 1916 work *Rajput Painting*, where he first clearly distinguished the indigenous Rajput schools from the Imperial Mughal style. Although his writings are fundamental, and he extensively covered the subject, he is not the author of the specific book titled 'Indian Painting'. His contribution was more foundational and philosophical in its approach.

The incorrect option is 3:
The incorrect option is 3: O. C. Ganguli (Ordhendra Coomar Ganguli) was a respected Bengali art historian, critic, and a key figure in the cultural landscape of the early 20th century, particularly associated with the Bengal School of Art. He was the founder and editor of the highly influential Indian art journal *Rupam*. Ganguli's scholarly work is significant and includes important books and articles on various topics, such as *South Indian Bronzes* and works on Rajput painting. Despite his major role in promoting Indian art, especially modern and regional styles, he is not the author of Percy Brown's early, comprehensive survey, 'Indian Painting'.