Shan Bhatnagar

Shan Bhatnagar is an Indian painter whose vibrant artworks are a distinct take on the traditional temple art of Pichwai. Using oil paints instead of natural dyes or acrylics, and painting on canvas instead of cloth like traditional Pichwais, Shan recreates his darshans at Nandlal ki Haveli (the Shrinathji temple at Nathdwara), in his exquisite artworks. He occasionally incorporates traditional Rajasthani embroidery and jewellery as embellishments in his paintings, which is again, a marked difference from the traditional style.

Shan Bhatnagar’s deeply emotive paintings of Lord Shrinathji in various moods and seasons, or of serene Nandis and other Krishna motifs like lotuses and parrots, are testament to his spiritual connect with the deity. Lord Shrinathji is Shan’s muse, with whom he shares an intimate relationship that guides his art. Shan is also deeply inspired by Jaipur, where he lives and works, which shows through in his choices of brilliant hues.

Besides being a professional artist, Shan is also a curator especially dealing in the traditional Pichwai paintings of Nathdwara. He has his own personal collection and also helps others (corporates and individual collectors) build their collection of authentic traditional pichwai paintings and antiques. He also feels that this dying craft of these exquisite paintings should be continued through the patronage of collectors! He was recently asked to curate the Krishna art pavilion for the Ambanis as part of the reliance foundation. Shan is also a well known interior designer mostly doing projects for the Jaipur and the udaipur Royal Family.