Rudolph Von Leyden

Rudolf von Leyden (1908-1983) was a German-born geologist, art critic, cartoonist, and advertising executive who moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1933, initially fleeing Nazi Germany, and became a pivotal figure in India's modern art scene by championing the Progressive Artists Group and artists like M.F. Husain and F.N. Souza. He worked as art critic for the Times of India, associate editor for Marg magazine, and advisor for the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, while also founding the Leyden Commercial Art Studio and producing political cartoons. Later, he returned to Vienna and served as president of the International Playing Card Society from 1977-1979.[1][3][4][6]