A portrait to reflect upon

Playing with lighting and layering, a young Amrita Sher-Gil depicted herself as bold, mischievous, and enigmatic - all at once

- VARAD BANG

Europe belongs to Picasso, Matisse, Braque, and many others. India belongs only to me." Artist Amrita Sher-Gil's statement dates back to 1938, when she was just 25 years old. She'd spent her childhood in Hungary, and had been accepted into the prestigious École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris at age 16.

In turn, Sher-Gil's India is hers alone. She'd studied Western art techniques of impressionism and postimpressionism, which leant her work a distinctive European touch. And yet, so much of what she painted dealt with the India she saw and knew.

I studied in Europe too, so I relate to the way she approached her work. Sher-Gil was adept at playing with warm and cool temperatures to create space and atmosphere.