Subrata Gangopadhyay (b. 1959, Calcutta) is widely regarded as one of India’s foremost painters working in the modern realistic tradition. A graduate of the Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta, he completed his diploma in Painting (Life, Nature, and Murals) in 1980, earning First Class First distinction.
He began his career as Senior Artist at the Ananda Bazar Group of Publications, where he honed his remarkable draftsmanship—an ability that continues to define his work. Known for his strong, fluid lines and life-like figures, Subrata has earned both critical acclaim and immense popularity.
His canvases are distinguished by swirling brushstrokes, dynamic movement, and a vibrant palette, qualities that shine through in his celebrated “Rhythmic Harmony” series inspired by Indian dance. In these oils and acrylics, the dancers’ swirling garments and infectious energy evoke rhythm itself. Art critic K.L. Kaul, writing in The Statesman, praised the series for its “gaiety and abundance of dance movement where the figure itself becomes the rhythm,” noting the way his paintings seamlessly unite technique and emotion.
Beyond this series, Subrata is a master of portraiture, working within a broad expressionist framework while rooted in the discipline of academic realism. His brushwork ranges from smooth realism to bold, impasto strokes, creating a striking balance between technical precision and expressive vitality.
Over the years, his works have been acquired by major institutions such as RPG Enterprises, the Taj Group, the Chennai Museum, Mayo College, and the Victoria Memorial, as well as by private collectors across the globe in the United States, Germany, the UK, France, Singapore, and Dubai. Prominent families and corporate houses in India, including the Tatas, Jindals, Neotias, and Goenkas, are among his patrons.
Now working independently as a full-time artist, Subrata Gangopadhyay continues to create powerful canvases that merge technical mastery with emotional resonance, solidifying his place as one of India’s master painters.
