Born on July 17, 1940, in Burnpur, Bengal, Anjolie Ela Menon is a renowned Indian painter and muralist with a body of work that spans six decades and multiple genres and mediums. Menon has carved a niche in contemporary Indian art that is singular and instantly recognizable.

Her luminous paintings on masonite, characterized by translucent layers of paint that achieve a soft glow through burnishing, have earned her acclaim. Often described as “magical,” “enigmatic,” or “mysterious,” Menon’s artworks frequently evoke profound empathy in viewers, occasionally bordering on the mystical.

Throughout her career, Menon has steadfastly maintained a figurative style, diverging from the prevailing trend towards abstraction. Her artistic influences range from modern masters like Amadeo Modigliani and Maqbool Fida Husain to Byzantine portraits and early Christian iconography, which she encountered during her studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Menon’s artistic achievements extend internationally, having represented India at prestigious biennials in Paris, Algiers, and São Paulo. Her works grace the permanent collections of esteemed institutions such as the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, the Peabody Essex Museum, various Chandigarh Museums, and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.