Discuss the historical context in which Abanindranath Tagore painted "Bharatmata". Analyze the impact of this painting on Swadeshi Movement.

Abanindranath Tagore portrayed Bhārat Mātā as a four-armed Hindu goddess wearing saffron-colored robes, holding a book, sheaves of rice, a mala, and a white cloth. The image of Bharatmata was an icon to create nationalist feeling in Indians during the freedom struggle.
The image was imaginative, with Bharatmata standing on green earth and blue sky behind her; feet with four lotuses, four arms meaning divine power; white halo and sincere eyes.
The historical context, in which Abanindranath painted Bharatmata was the Swadeshi Movement sparked off in 1905 around the partition of Bengal.
The impact of this painting was that Bharatmata became the new deity of the country, even if she was first named “Banga Mata” and later was renamed by him as “Bharat Mata“.
Bharatmata was used as a mobilizing artefact during the anti-partition processions. The critics appreciated as a new nationalist aesthetic.

Topics: GS-I: Indian Art Forms