Abdur Rehman Chughtai, a celebrated exponent of the New Bengal School, was among the leading painters of Lahore at the time of partition in 1947. In keeping with the revivalist spirit of the New Bengal School, he sought inspiration from the Mughal Miniature and the "Naqsh" or patterns of the Islamic decorative arts. Referring to his painting. Chughtai writes, these humble creations are redolent of those old days when we were making efforts to live and dream with the brethren of this land...this background of my art should not be lost sight of."