Add.Or.5340, ff.1-18

DHURANDHAR (MAHADEV VISVANATH) (1867-1944)

Born in Kolhapur, Dhurandhar was educated at Rajaram College, Kolhapur, before studying under Griffiths at the Bombay School of Art 1891-95, where he adopted some of his teacher’s methods. Appointed as a teacher in the School, he supplemented his income by producing genre and occupational studies which were turned into successful postcards or advertising posters. He also was a book illustrator. He ended his career as Director of the Bombay School of Art.

Literature: M V Dhurandhar, ‘Kalamandirantil Ekechallish Varsham’ (Bombay, 1940) [Forty-one Years in the Temple of Art].

Partha Mitter, ‘Art and Nationalism in Colonial India’ (Cambridge, 1994), pp. 90-96, and passim.

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Add.Or.5340, ff.1-18

Album of 17 drawings of portraits, landscapes and genre scenes at Kolhapur. c.1899.

The album was a tribute to C.H. Candy, principal of the Rajaram College, Kolhapur, until 1899, and the album may well mark his leaving in that year to become director of public instruction at Akola.

Water-colour; each subject in a ruled black and red frame, 19-19.5 by 11-13 cm (or ‘vice versa’). Album page 13.5 by 22 cm. Bound in a dark blue limp binding, with half-leather (dark green). Stamped on the front in capitals: ‘Album Kolhapur.’

Purchased October 1998.