Fanindra Nath Bose ARSA 1888-1926

The significance of Mr. Bose’s name appearing on the roll of the Academy is obvious. So far as is known, he was the first Sculptor of Indian nationality to receive official recognition in Great Britain. 

Fanindra Nath Bose was born in Calcutta, and came to this country to study Art at the age of fifteen. The choice of Edinburghis interesting. Working first at the old Royal Institution School, he continued at the Edinburgh College of Art, under the tuition of Mr. Percy Portsmouth, R.S.A. Here he obtained all possible honours, including the Travelling Scholarship.

From the beginning it was recognised that this young Indian was a man of
exceptional merit. His drawings and modelling were highly praised by the Assessors, Sir George Frampton, R.A., and Sir W. Goscombe John, R.A. While in Paris as a Travelling Student he had the advantage of an introduction to M. Rodin, the great Sculptor, who took a keen interest in his work, setting him tasks to do, criticising the results, and giving him great encouragement. Rodin insisted on a high standard, demanding absolute adherence to and detailed rendering of the form and character of the model.

Mr. Bose settled in Edinburgh, where he married a Scottish lady, making occasional visits to India, where he had a warm admirer in the Gaekwar of Baroda, for whom he executed many commissions. He was elected an Associate in 1925, and, apart from the personal honour, he valued this recognition as a sign of friendship to his country. 

A keen and skilful angler, he overtaxed his strength on a fishing visit to Peebles in August, and died there very suddenly. His former master, Mr. Portsmouth, writes thus of his pupil:—‘ Bose excelled in small sculpture;

he had a phenomenal control of minutiae. It was most interesting to watch his beautiful hands manipulate his tools, he was an exquisite craftsman, a true artist, showing delicacy and taste in everything he did.”

RSA Obituary from the 1926 RSA Annual Report