Zainul Abedin Museum

History

Born in Mymensingh, Abedin drew pictures sitting by the Brahmaputra River. While a student at the local Mrityunjay ("Triumph Over Death") School, he won the first prize in The Bombay Chronicle art competition. Subsequently, the school's headmaster sent more of Abedin's paintings to India. Devoted to his art, the school's teachers encouraged him to go to Kolkata, and, in 1933, Abedin was admitted to Calcutta Government Art School.

In the 1950s, Abedin began a movement of collecting neglected Bangladeshi artworks that were scattered all over rural areas of the country. The artist remained attached to his hometown, prompting the establishment of a museum in Mymensingh on 15 April 1975 in a building owned by a Mr. Barden, who later sold it to a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council. The gallery opened with approximately 70 pieces of art that included oil paintings and drawings by Abedin during his tours abroad. The gallery was initially run by a committee that was assisted by a local administration.

In its early years, it had 77 of Abedin's paintings, but in 1982, seventeen pieces of art were stolen from the museum, only ten of which were retrieved in 1994. Renovations began in 1997. Two years later, the National Museum took charge of the gallery, and completed renovations in 2004 on the 3.2 acre facility. This included construction of a main gate, ticket counters, and walls. A projector, sound system, and dehumidifier were installed. An artists' cottage and an open-air stage were added.

Collection

There are currently 53 oil paintings in the archive. The collection includes various themes and subjects, though most depict scenes of rural Bengal. Besides the original paintings, there are 16 replicas and 75 photographs of Zainul's life and works. There are also 69 mementos on display, such as brushes, a brush holder, bottles of turpentine and linseed oil, a carbon box, charcoal, wax, a colour palette, a colour tube, an easel, an ink pot, a leather portrait holder, a metal clip, a reed pen, a scraper, a spatula, and his spectacles. The mementos are situated in glass boxes in the midst of the gallery.

Grounds

In accordance with Abedin's wishes, an art school has also been established in the museum grounds. Artists can stay at the Art Cottage, which is located in a separate three-room building. An open-air stage is used by students on study tours and may be rented by others.

References

References

1. Islam, Aminul. (31 May 2010). "Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin's death anniversary observed".
2. (1 January 2011). "Shilpacharya enriched country's history of art". The Independent.
3. Islam, Aminul. (29 April 2007). "Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Sangrahashala – Preserving Works of a Maestro".
4. "Bangladesh National Museum". Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
5. Tuhin, Mesbah Uddin. (2012). "Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh". [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]].
6. (2009). "Bangladesh". Bradt Travel Guides.