Paritosh Sen (1918–2008) studied at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Madras, under Debiprasad Roy Chowdhury. He then spent 1949 to 1954 in Paris, studying at the Académie André Lhote, the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, the École des Beaux-Arts and the École du Louvre.
During his stay in Paris, he had the opportunity to meet Picasso. He regarded this as an important experience, one that shaped his aesthetic awareness. On his return, he was drawn to Jain and Rajasthani miniature paintings, studying them closely; he was influenced by the technique these artists used to divide space. Despite the poverty and destitution faced by many of Calcutta's citizens, the humaneness and vitality of the city, where he had lived since 1942, continued to enthuse him. The relentless optimism of its people, the joyous celebration of tradition and life, and its vibrant colours all find a place in Sen's art.
Sen was awarded the Lalit Kala Ratna, the Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the John D. Rockefeller III Fellowship, the Kalidas Nag Award and the Abanindra Puraskar, among other honours.
