Important Notice

"All forms of art are born from one's roots"

M.F. Husain's practice traverses many paths while progressing on its journey. Over the decades, the artist has consistently drawn from various sources and experiences while developing his oeuvre. His endless quest for his cultural roots and a fearlessly open-minded willingness to absorb diverse influences has made Husain one of the most significant figures of Modern Indian art.

... "All forms of art are born from one's roots"

M.F. Husain's practice traverses many paths while progressing on its journey. Over the decades, the artist has consistently drawn from various sources and experiences while developing his oeuvre. His endless quest for his cultural roots and a fearlessly open-minded willingness to absorb diverse influences has made Husain one of the most significant figures of Modern Indian art.

The present lot displays traditional Indian elements. A voluptuous woman seems to be swaying to the beat of her drum, accompanied by a child next to her. The composition has a festive aura owing to the celebratory gestures of the figures and the splashes of colours. The work depicts Husain's mastery over the balanced use of sharp lines, abstract strokes and colour. The first aspect highlights the draughtsman's superior skill of rendering forms and movement with just a few lines. His use of colour as an abstract element to give form to myriad aspects from clothes to spaces in the composition is truly masterful.

Throughout his life, Husain returned to his roots from time to time, composing themes and composition that blend folk, tribal and ancient art forms into his practice. He borrowed both from stories and surviving art forms that ranged from Medieval sculptures and Mughal and Rajasthani court paintings, to mythology and regional folk traditions.

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