This website is dedicated to S. M. Sultan (1924–1994) and to the conservation initiative Collaborative Investigation and Analysis of the Works of S. M. Sultan, implemented between January 2022 and June 2025 by the Bengal Foundation, with support from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), awarded in November 2021 in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Dhaka.

Sultan remains one of the most visionary figures in the history of modern painting in Bangladesh. Deeply rooted in indigenous knowledge systems, he crafted canvases from jute and hessian and prepared pigments from crushed vegetables, roots, and organic materials. His artistic philosophy was inseparable from the land, rural life, and the dignity of labor.

Recognizing the urgent need to safeguard his fragile works—many of which faced colour fading and material degradation—the project undertook the first comprehensive historical research and technical analysis of Sultan’s art. The initiative was structured around four core objectives:

• Historical research on Sultan’s life and artistic practice
• Technical assessment of his materials and methods
• Development of a context-sensitive conservation methodology
• Conservation and restoration of selected artworks

The conservation programme was guided by three pillars: preventive care, technical treatment, and capacity building. A major milestone was the establishment of the S. M. Sultan Conservation Studio at Bengal Shilpalay—the first dedicated private conservation facility of its kind in Bangladesh—now serving as a hub for treatment, research, and training.

Following the formal conclusion of the project on 30 June 2025, Bengal Foundation has continued conservation work independently, sustaining the studio’s operations and strengthening national capacity in art preservation.

This open-access digital archive serves as a permanent public resource, hosting documentation, research findings, educational materials, and project updates. It provides long-term access to researchers, conservators, artists, and the wider public, offering insights into Sultan’s life, his artworks, and the conservation processes that safeguard his legacy.