Sunil Madhav Sen’s artistic journey is marked by a remarkable self-directed commitment to craft and a nuanced understanding of human experience. Born in Purulia, West Bengal, Sen navigated a dual life, balancing a professional career in government service while cultivating a profound passion for painting. His early artistic education was informal but formative, enriched through mentorships with some of India’s most notable artists, including Abanindranath Tagore and Hemendranath Mazumdar. A two-year apprenticeship under Mazumdar, renowned for his portraiture, laid a strong technical foundation and deepened Sen’s focus on figurative work. Sen’s early practice was grounded in disciplined studies, charcoal renderings of figures and animals, sensitive portraits, and precise copies of European masters such as Rembrandt and El Greco. These influences shaped his approach to light, composition, and psychological insight, elements that remained integral as his style evolved. His first solo exhibition in 1950 marked his entrance into India’s modern art milieu, signaling the emergence of a distinctive voice within a rapidly transforming cultural landscape.

Joining the Calcutta Group in 1952 brought Sen into a circle of progressive artists who challenged the romantic nationalism of the Bengal School, embracing modernism and an engagement with contemporary realities. His work from this period onward reflected a broad thematic scope, from intimate portraits of Nepalese women and Bhutia boys to poignant depictions of social upheaval including the Quit India Movement and the Bengal famine. Sen’s canvases are imbued with a lyrical realism and quiet empathy, capturing both the dignity and vulnerability of his subjects. Sen’s ability to move fluidly between traditional techniques and modernist idioms allowed his work to transcend regional confines, addressing universal themes of human resilience and social consciousness. His art weaves personal reflection with collective memory, offering thoughtful commentaries on marginalized lives and historical struggles.

His paintings have found places in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, the Library of Congress and the New York Public Library in the United States, and the Bradford Museum in the UK. Sunil Madhav Sen’s enduring legacy lies in his sensitive exploration of humanity through a disciplined yet heartfelt artistic practice that continues to resonate within the narrative of Indian modern art.