Important Notice

The present lot depicts three facial forms floating against an abstract background - a man, woman and a child. The artist has used a monochrome palette to render the three faces that show sombre expressions. Small visual clues suggest the possible identity of these faces. The talismanic pendant around the man's neck and the necklace and head ornament worn by the women seem to point to their likely rural background. The chiselled portraits bring... The present lot depicts three facial forms floating against an abstract background - a man, woman and a child. The artist has used a monochrome palette to render the three faces that show sombre expressions. Small visual clues suggest the possible identity of these faces. The talismanic pendant around the man's neck and the necklace and head ornament worn by the women seem to point to their likely rural background. The chiselled portraits bring to mind the weathered faces of rural folks, who often appear in Husain's compositions.

It is interesting to note that this work was made in 1966, the same year Husain was commissioned to execute the iconic mural on the outer wall of the Indraprastha Building in New Delhi. In the same year the artist commenced work on his first experimental film 'Through the Eyes of the Painter', which went on to receive the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 1967. The film was shot in the many ancient towns of Rajasthan and rural imagery was prevalent throughout. It may be likely that the present work drew from these two projects that the artist undertook during 1966.

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