Description :

Rudolf von Leyden (1908-1983), a German-born cartoonist who lived most of his life in Bombay. He was a central figure in the art scene in Bombay, working as the main art critic of The Times of India, collecting Indian artworks from various periods, organising exhibitions, and actively promoting young, contemporary artists. He was a contributing editor of the leading art review MARG from 1946 and served as an adviser for the acquisitions and art commissions of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research which owned one of the most important collections of post-independence Indian art.

All of von Leyden’s own cartoons were signed with the pseudonym ‘Denley'.They all share a signature style, featuring a bold black outline, minimal colouration, and a gentle political wit that poked fun at local government as well as heads of state, military leaders, and the ‘resident foreigner’ in India, including himself.