" The mysticism and symbolism of ancient India, executed with the virility of Occidental Art, characterize the paintings of the young artists of the modern Bengali School...now being displayed at the Paul Elder Gallery. Twelve Artists ..are represented in the exhibition. The most noteworthy, and those regarded as India's greatest painters , are Abanindranath and Gaganendranath Tagore, both nephews of the eminent poet-philosopher. The collection which has perhaps the deepest appeal to Occidental art lovers , is a set of symbolic animal studies by Abanindranath Tagore. The remarkable illuminative effects in dark shadow recesses, deep forests, and in night scenes reveal th younger Tagore as a master of the difficult italian art of light and shade. Mukul Chandra Dey is another exhibitor whose works show mastery of technique, delicacy of touch, poetic feelings. " Watering the Tulsi plant ", "MorningFlowers", and a series of pencil studies of the poet Tagore are among the finest."
Regarding this exhibition of Paintings Rabindranath wrote to Mira Devi;
" Mukul is gradually exposing himself slowly. It will not be his fruitless visit to abroad. So long I have seen pictures in Japan and at this place, I began to believe, the history of the development of paintings in Bengal has its own glory. If it can develop in its own way then it will occupy its own place in the whole world in no time. Okakura has founded a School for the modern artists in Japan where many experiments are being done.That means they have devoted their full energy on this subject. It is not as a fashion they are doing like a narrow purpose.In Seattle I found a group of artist are working attentively in a studio. In this country when a person finds some idea the whole nation tries to make it successful everyone wants to make it successful that is the reason of their prosperity. but we, in our country, are divided, idle thinker, and can not move a single step outside our loneliness.It is difficult to say when this country will move unitedly to make our ideal successful.The inherent energy within ourselves is not negligible . When we come abroad, we get hold of it.
The generosity, the superiority can make that power world famous of all countries and of all times, we do not possess that power and that self-scrifice. I thought that "Bichitra" could have radiated that fragrance through out the country, but none came forward. I was ready to do as far as I can, but I could ignite a lamp."
Often it was seen that Rabindranath was saying lamented; " Paintings is not my subject, had it been so I would have shown the world what could be done out of it"
