Amrita Sher-Gil The Story Teller Painting (1937) – India’s National Art Treasure
Amrita Sher-Gil The Story Teller painting, created in 1937, stands as one of India’s most iconic and treasured oil artworks.
This masterpiece, signed and dated by the artist herself, represents a pivotal moment in modern Indian art, blending her unique style with deep cultural narratives. Known as a non-exportable national art treasure, The Story Teller reflects Sher-Gil’s artistic genius and her enduring legacy in India’s art history.
Born in 1913, Amrita Sher-Gil was an enigmatic and assertive individualist whose artistic fervour shaped the course of Indian modernism. She famously said, “It seems to me that I never began painting, that I have always painted. And I have always had, with a strange certitude, the conviction that I was meant to be a painter and nothing else.” This conviction is powerfully expressed in The Story Teller, which she signed and dated ‘Amrita Sher-Gil/ Oct. 1937’ in the lower right corner.
The oil on canvas measures 23.25 x 29.25 inches (59 x 74 cm) and was acquired directly from the artist before being passed down through descent. It currently belongs to a prominent collection in New Delhi, affirming its cultural and historical importance.
This painting was exhibited in Lahore at Faletti’s Hotel from 21 to 27 November 1937 and later featured in a major exhibition at Rabindra Bhavan Galleries and the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, between 1 March and 26 April 1970.
The Story Teller has been widely documented and published, appearing in seminal works by art historians and critics such as Karl Khandalavala, Geeta Kapur, and Roobina Karode. These publications trace Sher-Gil’s artistic evolution and the unique content of her paintings, emphasizing her role as a pioneer of Indian modern art.
Amrita Sher-Gil’s work continues to inspire generations, with The Story Teller epitomizing her distinct blend of figurative style and cultural storytelling. This painting captures not just a moment in time but also the vibrant, complex identity of early 20th-century India.
Provenance and Exhibition History
Provenance: Acquired directly from Amrita Sher-Gil; passed down by descent; part of a prominent New Delhi collection
Exhibited:
Lahore, Faletti’s Hotel (21–27 Nov 1937)
Rabindra Bhavan Galleries and NGMA, New Delhi (1 Mar – 26 Apr 1970)
Publications Featuring The Story Teller
Karl Khandalavala, The Art of Amrita Sher-Gil (1939, illustrated)
Geeta Kapur, The Evolution of Content in Amrita Sher-Gil’s Paintings (1972)
Roobina Karode and Rakhee Balaram, Amrita Sher-Gil (1913-1941): The Self in Making (2014)
Numerous other respected art journals and books have featured this work, highlighting its significance.
Amrita Sher-Gil’s The Story Teller is more than a painting; it is a cultural artifact and a testament to India’s rich artistic heritage. As a non-exportable national art treasure, it is revered and preserved as a symbol of India’s artistic excellence.
