Rabaindranath Tagore c. 19th century

Cadwallader Washburn’s etching portrays Rabindranath Tagore, the Bengali polymath known for reshaping literature and music, and who was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in New York, Washburn had a diverse career encompassing engineering, journalism, and art. The cultural and political backdrop of the early 20th century, marked by both colonial power dynamics and burgeoning global exchange, frames this work. Tagore traveled widely, advocating for cross-cultural understanding, yet this portrait captures him through the lens of an American artist. The etching medium lends itself to fine detail, emphasizing Tagore's profile and beard with delicate lines. How might Washburn’s identity as an American artist influence his representation of Tagore, an icon of Indian culture? The artwork invites us to consider the complexities of cultural exchange and representation, and how individual identities shape artistic expression.