Missing Works
We have built an extensive catalogue of artworks made by Kiron Sinha and Gertrude Sinha Hirsch, however, it’s not complete. As we learn more, we update it. While we know the provenance of many works, there are some that we know little about. Some works were purchased at exhibitions, some were gifted to foreign dignitaries by the Indian Government, some were stolen, and some were last seen at Studio Bulbul in Santiniketan prior to its sale in 2016.Â
We do not know how to contact the owners of these works, or their descendants. We believe it is important to know about the works and their history. We are not seeking to purchase works, but to keep accurate records of them for posterity. If you know of any works by Kiron or Gertrude, please contact us.
Below we have documented some of the missing works. Please note that Gertrude and Kiron did not always use consistent titles for the paintings, so in some cases we have included numerous titles for a single work. Our information is drawn from many sources, including notes by the artists and interviews with the artists.Â
Stolen Paintings
Eighteen paintings were stolen from the Studio Bulbul in Santiniketan (West Bengal, India) on 25 August 2005 in an organised late-night robbery which terrified the elderly couple. You can see three of the stolen works here.
Three Umbrellas (circa 1941) by Kiron Sinha, painted in Madras or Kodaikanal depicts Gertrude. Â
Gerti drinking from a Chinese Tea Cup (1940) oil on canvas by Kiron Sinha. Painted in Madras.
A Little Melody (circa 1955) oil on canvas by Kiron Sinha, painted in Santiniketan depicts their daughter Bulbul playing the mouth organ.
On the 2nd November 2001, there was a robbery from a private residence in Warwickshire, England. The painting Sleeping Baul / Reclining Baul was stolen.Â
This oil on canvas was painted in 1965 by Kiron Sinha in Santiniketan.
Framed, it measures 84.14 x 130.18 cm
Unframed, it measures 82.55 x 128.59 cm
Paintings Likely in India and Sri Lanka
Kiron and Gertrude exhibited prolifically between the 1940s and 1970s. Their paintings, works on paper, and woodblock printed textiles sold across India.
In the 1950s and 1960s, many works were purchased by the Indian Government and were gifted to foreign dignitaries or placed in government institutions in India.
The whereabouts of all works displayed below is unknown.
Works purchased by The Birla Brothers
Santal Dance (oil on canvas, 5 x 4 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1954. Purchased by the Birla Brothers.
Auntie Binni’s Hut (medium unknown, 4 x 3 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1955. Purchased by G. D. Birla.
Song in the Way (oil on jute canvas, 7 x 4 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1956. Purchased by the Birla Brothers.
Mozdan (labour) Couple (medium unknown, 7 x 4 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1956. Purchased by the Birla Brothers.
Two Santal Women in Monsoon (medium unknown, 6 x 4 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha. Purchased by the Birla Brothers.
Works purchased by Harry Peiris
Harry Peiris was a teacher at Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan in the 1930s. He purchased some of Kiron’s student work. Much of Harry’s collection is held by the Sapumal Foundation in Colombo. However, as of 2023 they had no record of these paintings.
Mother and Child (medium and dimensions unknown). Painted by Kiron Sinha before 1935 while studying at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan. Purchased in 1934 or 1935.
Wounded Peasant (tempura on cloth, 5 x 8 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1935.
Santal Dance (tempura on cloth, 5 x 9 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1935.
Works that may be in Kolkata
Himalayan Snow Peak (medium unknown, 1′ x 9″). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1965. Probably exhibited at the Call of the Himalayas exhibition held at Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata from 16-22 January 1967. Purchased by Mr and Mrs Mukti Banerji from Kolkata.
Krishna and the Gopis (textile painting, 10 x 5 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1957. This work was exhibited in early 1973 in Max Mueller Bhavana, Kolkata. It was gifted by Kiron to Heiko Bels who worked for the Max Mueller Bhavana and who hung it in the entranceway. It was on display for many decades. As of 2023, the Director, Astrid Wege, did not know its whereabouts or history.
Works that may be in New Delhi
Mussoorie Park (oil on canvas, 4 x 3 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1951. This work was purchased by the Government of India and was displayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. It is not known if it is still on display.
Large oil painting of tribal people (oil on canvas, dimensions unknown). Sold to Jagjivan Ram, the Minister for Agriculture in 1967 or 1968. He displayed it in the Banquet Hall of the MP Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi. As of 2023 this painting could not be located there.
Santiniketan Road (medium unknown, 3 x 2 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1957. Sold to Dr Mayer, the Ambassador to India from West Germany. This may be held by the German Embassy in Delhi, or in a Private Collection in Germany.
Bulbul and Guava Tree (oil on canvas, 3 x 12 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1950. It depicts his 5-year-old daughter sitting in a guava tree. Purchased at an exhibition held at the Freemason’s Hall, New Delhi between 17-21 December, 1952 by Indira Gandhi.
Works that may be in Santiniketan
Two Village Maidens on the Kopai River (medium unknown, 4.5 x 3 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1962. This work was possibly exhibited at Kala Bhavana from 11-15 December 1966. It may have been purchased from that exhibition by Purnima Mukerji of Santiniketan.
Head of a Sadhu (medium unknown, 3 x 2 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1965. This work was possibly exhibited at Kala Bhavana from 11-15 December 1966. It may have been purchased from that exhibition by the son of Lakshmiswar Sinha of Santiniketan.
Small painting of Gertrude (medium unknown, dimensions unknown). Gifted by Gertrude and Kiron Sinha in the early 2000s to Jasmine Munshi.
A Tapestry gifted to Nandita Sen Majumdar, daughter of late Suresh Sen Majumdar, possibly in the late 1990s.
A Tapestry gifted, or sold to to Selim Munshi.
Works that may be elsewhere in India
Gopal / Gopal Krishna (oil on palm leaf mat – khejur chatai, 3 x 2 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1968. Presented to Rukmini Devi Arundale when she visited Studio Bulbul in Santiniketan in 1969. Rukmini Devi had a long connection with the Sinha’s, having first met Gertrude in Vienna in 1936.
Paintings Likely in Australia
Kiron and Gertrude had a strong connection with Australia as Gertrude’s brother, Leo Hirsch emigrated to Adelaide in 1939. Leo helped to organise exhibitions in Australia, notably at:
- The Contemporary Art Society Adelaide Annual Exhibition held at the Institute Building in Adelaide from 15-26 July 1952
- The Contemporary Art Society Fourteenth Annual Interstate Exhibition held in Sydney from 1-17 November 1952
- The Second Asian Festival of South Australia held in the Adelaide Town Hall in May 1962
- Saga on the Santals exhibition of paintings, works on paper, and Gertrude’s woodblock printed textiles held at the Argus Gallery in Melbourne from 23 September to 6 October 1963
- Saga on the Santals exhibition of paintings, works on paper, and Gertrude’s woodblock printed textiles held at the Dominion Galleries in Sydney from 15-25 October 1963
- A collection of paintings and works on textile were displayed in the Mary Jolliffe Gallery in Launceston in 1963-1964
- Three paintings were loaned to Archer Street Gallery in Adelaide in November 1963
Only minimal sale records exist, and the whereabouts of all works displayed below is unknown.
Works that may be in Adelaide
Title Unknown (medium unknown, dimensions unknown). A Santali painting by Kiron Sinha painted in the 1950s. Purchased by Moritz Beiner and Ellie Beiner (Elizabeth Herta Beiner). On Ellie’s death it may have been inherited by their daughter Lilo. The painting may be in Adelaide.
Santal Village / Santal Huts (medium unknown, dimensions unknown). May have been sold in Adelaide in 1952, 1962, or 1963. It was housed in a bamboo frame. May have been owned by Charles Rothauser.
Mother and Child (medium unknown, 3 x 3.5 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1962. Purchased in Adelaide by Ralph Winston most likely in 1962 or 1963.
Alwar Folk in the Sun (medium unknown, 2 x 3.5 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1945 in Alwar, Rajasthan. Owner may be in South Australia.
Works that may be in Melbourne
Crossing the Kopai River / Crossing the Rivulet (medium unknown, 6 x 4 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in Santiniketan in 1957. Exhibited in Melbourne in 1963. Not sold at the exhibition but after Gertrude left Australia it remained on consignment with the gallery’s owner, Ruth McNicholl. It may have been sold in Melbourne.
Paddy Planting at Sunset (medium unknown, 162.5 x 86.3 cm). A Santali painting by Kiron Sinha. Exhibited at the Saga on the Santals exhibition in Melbourne at the Argus Gallery from 23 September – 6 October 1963. Not sold at the exhibition but after Gertrude left Australia it remained on consignment with the gallery’s owner, Ruth McNicholl. It may have been sold in Melbourne.
Drawing of Children (work on paper, dimensions unknown). Artist may be either Kiron or Gertrude. Exhibited at the Saga on the Santals exhibition in Melbourne at the Argus Gallery from 23 September – 6 October 1963. Sold to Lady Maie Casey.
Works that may be in Sydney
Planting Paddy at Dawn / Sowing in the Morning (medium unknown, 3 x 5 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1956. Sold in Sydney at the Saga on the Santals exhibition in October 1963 from the Dominion Galleries.
Works sold in Australia - location unknown
Santali Couple (medium unknown, 5 x 3 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1955
Santali Couple going to Work (medium unknown, 5 x 3 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in Santiniketan in 1955. Owner in Australia.
Tamil Girl (medium unknown, 1.5 x 2 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in South India in 1941. Owner in Australia.
Khasi Women in Burra Bazaar, Shillong (medium unknown, 2 x 3 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in Shillong in 1950. Owner in Australia.
Paintings Likely in Europe
Most of these paintings would have been purchased at Kiron’s exhibitions in India. Only minimal sale records exist, and the whereabouts of all works displayed below is unknown.
Works that may be in Germany
Santiniketan Road (medium unknown, 3 x 2 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1957. Sold to Dr Mayer, the Ambassador to India from West Germany. This may be held by the German Embassy in Delhi, or in a Private Collection in Germany.
Drinking in the Moonlight (medium unknown, 4 x 3 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1956. Possibly exhibited at Kolkata’s Max Mueller Bhavan in 1973. Likely purchased from the exhibition by Heiko Bels. After his death, it is possible that his cousin in German inherited his works.
Planting Paddy (medium unknown, 5 x 4 feet). Painted by Kiron Sinha in 1956. Possibly exhibited at Kolkata’s Max Mueller Bhavan in 1973. Likely purchased from the exhibition by Heiko Bels. After his death, it is possible that his cousin in German inherited his works.
Works that may be in Sweden
Three Female Figures (tapestry, 4.5 x 5.5 feet). Designed by Kiron Sinha in 1968. Owner in Sweden.
Jasoola and Baby Krishna (medium unknown, 3 x 2 feet). In a list of sold artworks written by Gertrude in 1981, the owner is recorded as Tapati Sinha in Sweden.
Woman (oil on palm leaf mat, khejur chatai, dimensions unknown). In a list of sold artworks written by Gertrude in 1981, the owner is recorded as Tapati Sinha in Sweden.
Paintings Possibly Elsewhere
Most of these paintings would have been purchased at Kiron’s exhibitions in India. Only minimal sale records exist.
Mystery History
Works that we have only fragmented records for.
Last Seen at Studio Bulbul
Following the death of Gertrude in 2011, the Sinha’s house and studio in Santiniketan was inherited by a local couple who had helped care for the artists in their old age.
The new owners moved many artworks away from the property. In 2016 the property was sold, with some artworks still in situ. From 2017, major renovations were conducted inside and out, which resulted in the destruction of many frescoes, sculptures, and paintings.
In December 2021, the family which had inherited Studio Bulbul sold some works to a private gallery in Delhi.
The list below details the 30 paintings that were present at Studio Bulbul as of June 2011, but which were not sold to the gallery in Delhi in 2021. The whereabouts of these 30 paintings is currently unknown, along with 182 works on paper, 2 ceramics, 20 frescos and murals, and 49 sculptures and friezes.
