List of Best Art Galleries In India - For The Hidden Artist In You!

"Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen", once said Leonardo Da Vinci.

Art has the power to engage the soul and display emotions that can't be said or written. India has been blessed with brilliant artists and art forms. Since ancient times, art sculptures and paintings have been an innate part of the Indian culture. In modern times, there are some art galleries in India which preserve the old age art creations as well as provide a platform to upcoming artists to showcase their talent and also promote the importance of art in India. Below mentioned are some of the most significant art galleries in India:

1. Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata

Established in 1933, the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata is one of the most significant art galleries in India. Various famous paintings by eminent Indian and foreign artists are displayed here. Some of the famous paintings include 'Girl with a pitcher' and 'A Winter's Evening' by Rabindra Nath Tagore. Works of artists like Jamini Roy, Nandalal Bose, M.F.Hussain, etc, are also showcased at the academy.

2. The Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh

Sculptures are also on display apart from paintings at this prominent museum located in Chandigarh. Started for the public in 1968, the museum features different sections for sculpture, architecture and art paintings. The best sections of the museum consist of sections for Indian miniature paintings, contemporary art, portraits, etc. Paintings by some of the most illustrious artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, Jamini Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Abanindranath Tagore, etc are part of the museum.

3. Government Museum, Chennai

Also known as the Madras Museum, the Government Museum in Chennai is the second oldest museum and art gallery in India. Established in the year 1851, it witnesses a heavy footfall of visitors each year. The National Art Gallery, which forms a part of the museum, has paintings of legendary artists like Raja Ravi Varma on display. Traditional paintings of Tanjore, Rajput and Mughal era along with paintings of the contemporary period can be found here.

4. Indian Museum, Kolkata

Established in 1814, the Indian Museum is known for preserving the heritage artworks of India. The museum is divided into six sections and the art gallery of the museum is divided into 4 sections which feature Mughal Painting Gallery, Bengal Painting Gallery, Decorative Art and Textile Gallery along with South East Asian Gallery.

5. Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

Established in 1952, Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai is owned by a private organization and has paintings of almost all famous Indian artists from Jamini Roy to Arpita Singh. Artists from India and abroad line up to get their work exhibited at this gallery. It is a must visit for art lovers as you will get to see some of the finest art creations of the world at this gallery.

6. National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore

One of the newer art galleries in India, the National Gallery of Modern Art was inaugurated in 2009 in Bangalore. Currently, the art gallery houses more than 500 paintings from both traditional and modern genres. Paintings on display are works of honourable artists like Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, Jamini Roy, etc. The paintings are sorted and displayed according to time periods, artists and school of art.

7. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi is an initiative by the government of India. Established in 1954, the gallery features a collection of over 14,000 paintings by artists from India and abroad. Paintings in this wide assortment include works of Raja Ravi Varma, Tagore brothers, Jamini Roy etc. It is one of the finest Art Galleries in India.

8. National Museum, New Delhi

The National Museum in New Delhi has been operating since 1949 and is unbeatable when it comes to the collection of art paintings. The art gallery here features the biggest collection of miniature paintings in the country. Paintings by modern artists along with Mughal, Deccan, Rajasthan, Sikh and Kashmiri artists are showcased here. The artworks here range from the time periods of 10th to 20th century.

9. Victoria Memorial, Kolkata

Victoria Memorial was launched for the public in the year 1921. The gallery sports different sections for Indian and foreign paintings, Calcutta Gallery, Royal Gallery, Indian paintings, miniatures, etc, being some of those. The Royal Gallery is dedicated to paintings of Queen Victoria. The collection of western paintings includes paintings from the likes of Charles D'oyly, Johann Zoffany, William Hadges, William Simpson, etc.

10. Aakriti Art Gallery

Aakriti Art gallery has evolved as one of the prominent modern Art Galleries in India. The gallery operates from two centres, one in Kolkata and one in New Delhi. Traditional paintings, sculptures, printmaking, video art and installations are on display here. Art lovers have the option to buy modern and contemporary art paintings from an online art shop too. The gallery has reinforced the Gen-next exhibitions which deliver modern art and reaches to the young crowd of India.

11. Gallery Kolkata 

Gallery Kolkata has been created space since 2004 working with luminaries, mid-career and an imaging artist. With the support, co-operation and blessings of many of the artists we worked with, we stand tall and steady in 2018. With the burgeoning of technological advancement, it becomes essential to use the same to our advantage. Keeping this in mind Gallery Kolkata has built a world-class website, which is now near ready. ?A well maintained online presence can give an artwork and artist a world-wide exposure and reach. We came across you're your works recently and would be really excited to work with your good self. We have a large stock of painting, sculpture and other artworks by eminent and imaging artist. 

Be it contemporary fine art, figurative or abstract paintings or sculptures, mixed media, oil on canvas or etching, art galleries in India work towards the integration of artist's community and making the cultural heritage of India accessible to all.